If you are reviewing and maintaining recreational facilities in your area, this article will make it very easy for you to understand what options you have with old exercise equipment and playgrounds. Surely you sometimes struggle with the problem of what to do with another device whose glory days are long gone. You have several options: leave it in a dilapidated state, replace it with a new one, or maybe renew it. How often have you considered refurbishment or renovation? Can it be effective and profitable? We will focus on total renovations of outdoor gyms and playgrounds.
After some time of use, outdoor gyms and playgrounds made of steel may corrode, which negatively affects their appearance. Users do not want to use them anymore, because they scare instead of encouraging them to use. To renovate these objects and make them look like new, there are certain steps that must be taken. See how to renovate an outdoor gym and playground and make it look like new!
The use of exercise and recreation equipment in our climate can negatively affect its condition, because it is exposed to weather conditions: rain, wind, dust or UV radiation. In addition, there are damages related to natural wear and tear during use, graffiti, improper use or attempts at vandalism. This can lead to corrosion of the metal parts of the equipment, such as the frame, steps, ladders and handles. Some elements, such as bearings, naturally wear out, and others, such as rubber or plastic elements, become brittle and change color. Sometimes the damage is irreversible, but some of it can be prevented or reversed.
Renovation of the outdoor gym allows you to restore its former glory and stop the corrosion process, thanks to which the devices regain their original properties and appearance. To maintain the appearance and functional properties, it is recommended to renew playgrounds or outdoor gyms, even after several seasons. Renovation is essential to enjoy a safe and aesthetic environment.
It is definitely a profitable investment. The purchase of new, high-quality devices can cost us even several thousand zlotys. On the other hand, professional renovation of equipment costs about 60% of the price of new equipment. Of course, we can also try to carry out the renovation ourselves, but the effects may be far from expectations and be short-lived
It is, as in the case of a gym, a profitable investment, but the decision to carry out such a renovation depends on many factors, such as:
1. Is the playground mostly steel or wooden,
2. Whether the steel components can be dismantled
3. Will the disassembly not damage the safe surface
The purchase of new, high-quality playground equipment costs several thousand zlotys. Professional renovation of poles, bars, etc. is a fraction of the price of new devices. An independent attempt at renovation will bring worse results than the professional service of the manufacturer, who gives a guarantee for his services, and the equipment will look almost like new.
Monthly inspections required by the regulations of the standard for playgrounds and outdoor gyms reveal a number of minor or major defects. If a failure threatens the safety of users, the administrator should first secure the device and then evaluate the repair costs.
Current repair of sports or recreational equipment focuses on minor damage, replacement of parts with new ones, and sometimes painting of selected elements.
In the case of renovation of a playground or gym, the entire device is repaired and the paint coating is renewed on the entire surface. Consumables, such as bearings, are replaced, and rusted screws are replaced with new stainless ones.
If you have a lot of wooden elements that have already rotted, you have no choice but to replace part or the entire device with new ones. If you have purchased steel equipment, you can count on the fact that it will be possible to restore such equipment in its entirety. Appliances that can be refurbished include:
1. Outdoor gym,
2. Steel playground,
3. Steel swings and carousels,
4. Street workout and calisthenics equipment.
Repair of these devices will be possible if they are not permanently concreted into the ground and the costs of dismantling will not ruin the budget for their renovation and reinstallation. Check the installation method in the catalog cards or dig up the foundations to see what is hidden underground.
Painting with a brush may seem like the cheapest solution, but this is only apparent. In order for the new coating to adhere well, it is necessary to remove the old layer in its entirety, and this can be difficult in the case of hard-to-reach areas, heavy corrosion and large paint losses. For this reason, this activity can be very laborious and time-consuming. Therefore, it is definitely a better choice to have the fencing elements powder coated. It is a faster and more permanent solution that will achieve the desired effect.
Brush painting can work perfectly for minor damage and chipping, where corrosion has not yet penetrated the surface of the paint.
Brush painting of steel is a two-step process. First, sand the painting area with sandpaper, apply a primer, and after drying, level it again with fine sandpaper and remove dust. The next step is to apply the topcoat, usually in two layers. After drying, you can put the element back in its original place.
To get the best repair and refurbishment results, choose a complete refurbishment process that will bring your appliances back to their original splendour. The effect of such a repair together with the restoration of paint coatings will be devices that look like new.
Renovation stages:
1. Assessment of the condition of the equipment and the scope of renovation,
2. Disassembly of devices,
3. Foundation condition analysis,
4. Transport to the plant,
5. Disassembly of devices and inventory of elements,
6. Removal of old paint coatings and cleaning of corrosion,
7. Welding of cracked or physically damaged elements,
8. Powder coating again,
9. Purchase of new bearings, stainless screws, washers and necessary plastic elements,
10. Reassembly of devices,
11. Transport to the installation site,
12. Installation of products and completion of the manual.
The above process guarantees the best degree of protection against re-corrosion, and the equipment in the repaired part looks like new.
For such renovation, STARMAX gives a 2-year warranty and a guarantee of savings.
The second life for the gym has an important pro-ecological aspect. Instead of buying a new device and scrapping the old one, we extend the life of an outdoor gym or a playground for the next few years, reducing CO2 emissions and taking care of our planet.
We renovate STARMAX outdoor gyms and equipment from other manufacturers, if their technical condition allows it. Our products are characterized by exceptionally thick walls of pipes, profiles and sheets, which is why their repainting and extending their life is certainly possible.
Ask a STARMAX advisor about the possibility of renovating the gym, street workout or playground.
Author of the article:
Marek Starczewski
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Starmax ul. Rycerska 3 83-050 Bąkowo naer Gdańsk POLAND |
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Opening hours: Mo-Fr 8:00-16:00 |
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Denis Boyko Export Manager |
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Klaudia Chylińska Sales consultant |