Painting the playground

Certain guidelines must be followed whenever applying paint to the metal or tyre components of a playground.

1. Never touch the metal or the painted surface with anything, except when wearing rubber gloves.

2. Always wear rubber gloves to protect your skin.3. Always wear either goggles or glasses to protect your eyes.4. Cover your arms whilst painting.5. Paint slowly and lightly so that you do not splash paint everywhere.6. If you get paint on your skin wash it off.7. You must always paint thin careful layers of paint and take your time.8. Always follow the mixing guide and the instructions for painting.

Tyre, wood and plastic paint

To paint these materials we recommend Sadolin Budget gloss paint.

Stage 1: Preparation

1. Clean the surface so that it is free from dust and dirt. This can be done with water, cloth or even a dry brush.

2. Let the tyres dry.

Stage 3: Painting

1. Use either high gloss thinner or white spirit to thin down the paint. We recommended a 4:1 paint - thinner ratio.

2. You will need to keep an eye on your paint to make sure it is not too thick especially in hot climates, if it begins to thicken, add more thinner/white spirit as necessary to thin.

3. Use a good quality paintbrush to apply thin layers of paint to the tyres, avoiding drips and thick, heavy application.

4. You will need at least 2 coats of paint on each tyre.

Metal paints

When painting mild steel or galvanised pipe we recommend using high quality 2 pack epoxy based paint. We use Sadolin UPOXTM Zinc phosphate 2 pack primer as an undercoat and Sadolin SadocrylTM 2 pack acrylic for the top coats. Both paints come with their own hardeners and thinner (SadocrylTM thinner/hardener and UPOXTM thinner/hardener)

Stage 1: Preparation 1. For galvanised pipe apply a coat of Sadolin Etch acid, a sulphuric compound which

chemically cleans the metal ready for paint.2. Wipe down all surfaces to make sure they are clean and dry.3. For mild steel first take off any rust, dirt and oil from the metal. You will need to

sand this off using sandpaper, wire bushes or a grinder with the correct attachment.4. Wipe down all surfaces to make sure they are clean and dry.

Stage 2: Undercoat 1. First mix the epoxy zinc phosphate with the hardener at a ratio of

2:1 primer-hardener. Mix well. You will only have 8 hours to use your mixture.

2. To 4 litres of primer then add 1.5 litres of thinner. If the paint begins to thicken add more thinner as needed.

3. Then apply a thin coat of the primer. Leave to dry for 4 hours and apply a second coat.

4. Then leave for 16-24 hours to fully dry.

Stage 3: Top coats of colour 1. Once the primer is dry, using grade p120 sandpaper lightly sand all the primed metal

so that the gloss of the primer has dulled down a little. Take care not to expose the metal.

2. Wipe down the metal to remove any dust or paint particles.3. Mix SadocrylTM paint with its hardener at a ratio of 4:1 paint-

hardener. Mix well.4. To 4 litres of paint then add 1.25 litres of thinner. If the paint

begins to thicken add more thinner as needed.5. After 1 hour apply a second coat.

6. Leave for 24 hours to fully dry.

Stage 4: Varnishing 1. The final stage is to add SadocrylTM acrylic clear. This will protect the paint against

the sun light. Use the same ratios of paint to hardener and thinner as with the coloured acrylic paints.

2. Leave the painted areas for 4 days for the paint to cure before allowing contact with the painted surfaces

.