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Post by freesmog on Apr 12, 2006 12:05:41 GMT -7
What kind of paint would I use for the outside of the boxes? White or yellow?
chris
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Post by Thom on Apr 12, 2006 12:35:23 GMT -7
As long as it is non toxic paint any color will do.
I am quazi organic, which means my hives are painted dark green, but I don't use chemicals inside the hive.
I fail in paint regulations to be organic and I do have some wax coated plastic frames, but I do intend to cycle out that equipment as time goes on. It was enough to redo everything just to be chemical free. I had to get rid of all comb that had ever been treated.
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Post by NormCounterman on Apr 12, 2006 21:07:35 GMT -7
White
;D Normy ;D
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Post by freesmog on Apr 13, 2006 18:55:23 GMT -7
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Post by Thom on Apr 14, 2006 7:52:57 GMT -7
I didn't use non-tox paint on my hives, though I will when I replace equipment. Color is cool for so many reasons. 1 because each beekeeper has their own color and I can tell who has hives, where. Next, you can use it to add or reduce heat depending on your climate. My boxes are dark green to absorb heat and to blend in with the environment. I've had people over to my house, and they eventually ask where my hives are, and when I point them out the can't believe they didn't see them. They blend in very will with the brushy back ground.
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Post by banjostu on May 6, 2007 21:37:15 GMT -7
Thom,
Is over heating ever a problem with the dark green? I suppose not in OR, but do you think warmer climes might present a problem? What about paint alternatives, like linseed or urethane?
Cheers
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Post by Thom on May 7, 2007 9:57:43 GMT -7
Where I am my bees need the extra heat. A 70 degree day here is a heat wave. Warmer climates do need lighter colored boxes. As for alternatives to paint. If you are going organic you may only use non-toxic paint. If you aren't going organic, I'd stick to a paint that will dry. I have seen some boxes that the builder used pollyurithane... Another great coating is wax. There are commercial dippers out there but they use parafin which is a fossil fuel product. So if you have a pot of melted bees wax and a paintbrush you could seal the wood pretty good without paint.
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Post by Electric Herb on May 8, 2007 8:18:18 GMT -7
Better paint them white so that you don't get disqualified by Uncle Norm in the January 1st pollen contest next year.
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Post by banjostu on Jun 5, 2007 20:25:56 GMT -7
When dipping in parafin, do people generally dip the whole box, or just the exterior portion?
Any idea how many (unpainted) deeps you can coat with a pound of beeswax?
Thanks,
stu
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Post by Thom on Jun 6, 2007 13:31:50 GMT -7
A pound can go some distance, but I wouldn't dip it because there is no need to coat the inside. What I'd do is to break up the was, place some on the box and melt it with a small propane torch and brush it around in a thin coat. I usually melt the wax that is built up on my (metal) queen excluder with a torch and let it drip on the tops of my nuc boxes.
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