Clear finish on hive body?

[gottabee]

Reading some interesting comments regarding finish of hives. Several comments mention clear high gloss finish to preserve the natural look of wood. What have you used with good results?? THanks.

[manowar422]

I've just finished some new supers with water based polyurethane.
It is easy to apply, cleans up with soap and water
and as far as I know, once it dries, it's non-toxic.
The grain on the cypress wood really pops out :)  you'll like it.

[Michael Bush]

Any clear finish eventually will turn gray and then dark, but you can slow it down a lot.  I kind of like the boiled linseed oil, but I've also done Thomson's water seal and exterior latex base with no color.  All of them worked pretty well.  I haven't tried the polyurathane.

[manowar422]

As far as longevity is concerned, our own beemaster has clear-coated his hive bodies for some time.
Perhaps he will chime in with some tips or experiences.

Everbody chant with me....  "John Clayton"
(we may need to bring him out of one of his OBEs :lol:

[Horns Pure Honey]

I used 3 coats of white paint and 2 coats of high gloss poly. :D

[gottabee]

HEY thanks for the tips.

I have new 8 frame cypress hive bodies. Right now I am leaning toward the polyurethane but I am concerned about its durability.

Has anyone tried clear varnish??

HEY BEEMASTER what is your secret ???

As far as the 1 year old 10 frame hives, I painted them with exterior laytex. After 1 season they look mighty dirty. I want to paint them as I replace them with 8 frame equipment. I am going to put them back in production come spring.

[Jerrymac]

These have three coats of polyurethane with a UV blocker. They look the same now as they did in this picture taken back in the spring.

Go to my photos (see below) for a larger picture.

[budhanes]

Your pictures were quite amazing. Seeing feral hives, it is always interesting to see how the bees constructed, and where they constructed.

[Hill's Hivery]

I use 3 coats of Polyurethane on mine.  The property owners where my hives are at like the natural look.  Oh, and my boxes are "decorated" before the poly by my two little girls.  They like to put flowers, bees and butterflies on them so they are more like home.  It helps to individualize each hive also.

This is my second year using poly.  The only problem I have had is with the bottom boards weathering quickly.  First year of use and they look bad!  I may paint them when I get them out of rotation this year.

[Finsky]

Here is style from Russia

]

[Michael Bush]

>Here is style from Russia

I've got to ge me one of those.

:)

[Jay]

I've got to ge me one of those.

:)

You do mean the hive don't you Mike!?! :lol:

[Michael Bush]

Yes, I was thinking of the hive at the time.  But now that you mention it...