I was wondering why you shouldn't paint the inside of the hide. If the paint is old and lots of layers I don't see how that can be a problem. I understand the no treated lumber.
It there is paint on the wood I'm building hives out of, I don't care. If someone painted the inside, I'll live with it. But there is no need to paint it as it will be coated with propolis anyway and the bees are more likely to like the smell of wood than the smell of paint.
I think the best answer is its just not necessary. I doubt that it would do any harm. The bees take care of the inside pretty well.
David
QuoteIf the paint is old and lots of layers I don't see how that can be a problem.
Fumes for one if it's new? If it's new equipment and fresh paint...the paint has got to be new before it gets old. Personally I don't want my honey smelling or tasting like Sherwin Williams.
No matter what DO NOT PAINT any of the horizontal pieces of the wood (the flat sections that stack on each other) painting them will be a headache prying apart, they will just never dry right and could make prying boxes apart a lot harder, making your bees more upset at the disturbance and making your job a lot harder.
Any flat sections of the supers that come in contact with bottom boards, inner covers, lids and other hive boxes should be kept as natural as possible for the reasons stated above.
QuoteNo matter what DO NOT PAINT any of the horizontal pieces of the wood (the flat sections that stack on each other) painting them will be a headache prying apart, they will just never dry right and could make prying boxes apart a lot harder, making your bees more upset at the disturbance and making your job a lot harder.
Good call on this one Beemaster.
Thanks for the info. I built a two deep hive using recycled wood. Some of the wood was painted on both sides. The paint is old and there are no fumes. The whole thing top, two deeps, and screened bottom board cost about $40 with the recycled material.
Quote from: beemaster on April 17, 2010, 03:26:42 PM
No matter what DO NOT PAINT any of the horizontal pieces of the wood (the flat sections that stack on each other) painting them will be a headache prying apart, they will just never dry right and could make prying boxes apart a lot harder, making your bees more upset at the disturbance and making your job a lot harder.
Any flat sections of the supers that come in contact with bottom boards, inner covers, lids and other hive boxes should be kept as natural as possible for the reasons stated above.
I paint the horizontal surfaces then when dry rub with a block of bees wax and they don't stick. Bottoms of the boxes is where I get the most rot.
I have built many boxes out of recycled wood that was already painted on two sides. No problems.
I've got boxes painted inside and out, and others not painted at all. The only difference I've noticed is that propolis is easier to clean off the ones that are painted inside, especially off the frame rests.
Did not know that would make them stick :) The ones that were on top when we painted the stack got painted. Easy enough to swap them off and wax them if they cause a problem or sand. Glad we did not paint all the edges :)Thanks!
I went a little overboard this winter building stuff, especially after learning how to cut a box joint. (from this forum, no less). All was fine and dandy, til it came time to paint. I got it all done, however I'm sick of painting. My last few mediums were made out of cyprus, and I think everything here on out will be too.
I'm not sure how you tell, but you might just want to make sure it isn't lead paint...but if the wood is only a few years old 20 or 30, I wouldn't worry about it.
Unpainted wood absorbs more moisture then painted wood. I like to leave it unpainted to allow for this to help with moisture build up in the Winter. It might not be much, but it's better then nothing.
The unpainted wood will absorb moisture. So leaving it unpainted will theoritically make the boxes heavier and rot sooner. :evil: (My boxes are unpainted inside).
Unpainted wood will also dry out quicker when it does get wet, keeping it from rotting. :-D
I think as with all things in life it comes down to how you want it to look.... :mrgreen: