hotroddr32 14 Report post Posted August 10, 2010 Hi! New Member here. My wife and I picked up a Rainbow Sun Castle playset off craigslist a couple of weeks ago, and I've got it taken apart, getting ready to refinish it. The owners before us put some kind of half-done water-based stain on it, leaving it pretty ugly. I have pressure-washed and stripped as much of the old stain as possible, and plan to sand and stain in the next 2 weeks. What more do I need to do to get a good bond? I've already hit it in a few spots with some 60 grit, and am happy with what I see so far. I only gave 325 bucks for this set, so I want to do this right. I have no experience with staining, much less with staining redwood, so I cherish your opinions. I'm torn on brand of stain too. I'm thinking Olympic Max, Superdeck, or a Cabot semi-solid. Thanks for any help you may give. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beth n Rod 1,279 Report post Posted August 10, 2010 Armstrong Clark is a product that was formulated in the heart of redwood country in California, It has beenin use for years on redwood and we have also used it on redwood ourselves. Contact Tom & Barbara Vogel at ACR Products to get it, their number is 610-253-8005. You'll find the manufacturers website with colors here: Oil Based coatings for Wood, Sealant & Stain: Restore and Protect - Armstrong-Clark Co. You have already stripped it, once you are done sanding you are ready to ally the sealer/stain. Don't go over 80 grit on the sandpaper. Beth Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotroddr32 14 Report post Posted August 10, 2010 By saying "over 80 grit", do you mean not to use a finer paper than 80 grit right? Forgive my "rookieness", when I ask why that matters? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigchaz 157 Report post Posted August 10, 2010 hotroddr, the finer grit tends to close up the grain of the wood and makes the stain harder to penetrate. 60 grit will keep it smooth to avoid any splinters so you shouldn't need to go any higher Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotroddr32 14 Report post Posted August 10, 2010 Gotcha. Thats what I thought, just wanted to make sure I was on the same page. I got several pieces sanded today, it looks good. When I finish sanding, will I still need to rinse with the brightner, or will blowing off with a air hose and wipe down be good enough before staining. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotroddr32 14 Report post Posted October 6, 2010 I had to replace several pieces of the redwood that was on the ground, and due to the inability to find redwood around here, I replaced these pieces with PTP. My next step will be to apply a solid stain to the playset and then turn the girls loose on it. Question... I need to hide the differences in the woods. Which brand makes the best semi-solid or solid stain that will look the best for me? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beth n Rod 1,279 Report post Posted October 6, 2010 Semi-trans is the way to go that close to the ground. Beth Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotroddr32 14 Report post Posted October 6, 2010 I have liked some of the cabots colors in the semi-trans. Will it hold up ok? I plan to finish my deck with the same, so this is much larger project than just the playset. Thanks VERY much! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beth n Rod 1,279 Report post Posted October 6, 2010 Please go to SETTINGS and fill in your signature. House rules. Beth Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
