I ordered some plastic foundation with beeswax sprayed on them. I have about two pounds of really good beeswax from cappings last year. Even though the new foundation has a thin layer of beeswax, would the bees take to the foundation better if I 'painted' some of the melted wax I have on the foundation?
I don't think it will make any difference. As long as the foundation has a thin coat of wax, they seem to take to it. Even if it doesn't have wax, they know what to do, but they seem to like a thin coat of wax best. I don't think more would be better.
With pre waxed foundation, you are fine. Don't waste your time. You may fill in all the cells with too much wax. Too much will not hurt, just a waste, so I would not do it.
Just from talking to Bud and Alan Bukley about it and they both do it go ahead and put another coat of wax on that. That way they will draw it better and more evenly. If not they won't draw it unless you have a heck of a flow on. Like i say second hand info there i'm lazy i just use wax foundation.
Quote from: hankdog1 on April 18, 2011, 10:20:31 PM
If not they won't draw it unless you have a heck of a flow on.
Yup, they will definitely not even look at it if there isnt a good flow on. Take a small paint roller, melt your wax and roll it on your foundation (very lightly-any pressure makes a mess of things) Wait til the first coat hardens up and then roll it again. Works real well that way.
There is some sound advice here. I coated many foundations with a nice healthy coat of wax. I only stopped cause the last time I ordered boxes, frames and foundation I had over 6K frames to do. You know all good things to come an end eventually. I just dont worry about it anymore but when I did I put a nice healthy coat on and I never noticed any space wasting. I would litterally fill up the entire dimple in the plasticell foundation with wax.
I did a little experiment on this subject. I installed some plastic foundation with the sprayed on wax, and some frames that I painted on some more wax. Although not enough done to prove or disprove, I can say in this case, the bees made comb on the painted foundation first, and 3 times faster than nonpainted. Needless to say, I paint all new frames now.
Sounds good, I don't have too many to do so I think I will give it a try.
The nice part is you dont even have to thoroughly clean your wax like you would for making candles.
Another hint is too make sure that the wax isnt too hot because it will warp and twist the plastic frames. Make it that the wax is just melted not boiling ;) Chris
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Scott