Soup-up that slow slide

What kid doesn't like to go down a slide? Slides are great attractions at water parks, theme parks and just about any fair or carnival you go to. You will find at least one slide in virtually any municipal park or playground which provides play equipment for kids and the slide is still a must have item on back yard swing sets and jungle gyms across the country.

Here's how to help keep the slide fun going, fast and furious, in your back yard playground. After all let's face it, the faster the slide is, the more fun it is. For metal and fiberglass slides, apply a coat of car polish in just the same manner as you would wax the hood of your car. Apply a generous coat of wax, let it dry for a few minutes, and then buff it to a high polish. For composite plastic slides, spraying them down with pure silicon mold release and then wiping off the excess will provide a surface which will send those little butts flying!

In both cases, be very certain to keep the wax or silicon away from the climbing steps and handles. You don't want to reduce the friction factors in those two areas. Additionally, it's always a good idea to have a pad of coarse mulch or at least four inches of sand at the landing end of a slide. Sliders always have a lot more fun when they don't have to worry about bruising their little rear ends!