Hive body coatings

[mmarmino]

I'm trying to figure out a good means of preserving my Hive bodies other than painting does anyone have any ideas?

[mmarmino]

I'd really like to keep the natural wood .

[Spear]

Clear wood varnish for outdoors? Will keep the weather off and show off the natural wood...

[flyboy]

I am trying shellac.

[hivebuilder]

shellac is not waterproof . use polyurathane  varnish outside grade. like for a boat deck

[Variable]

I used this:

http://www.penofin.com/products_rl.shtml

It made the hive go from this



to this



and all it took was



and a little of



that.

[flyboy]

shellac is not waterproof . use polyurathane  varnish outside grade. like for a boat deck

Yes 'tis. It marks when water falls on it, unless it is combined with linseed oil as in French polishing, but if the perfect appearance is not a problem, it is waterproof.
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/maintaining-a-shellac-finish#b

All coatings will fail in time.

[bbbthingmaker]

I've used Eco wood treatment.  It's supposed to make wood last forever.  So far so good, but just two years.  
Pros : It goes on easy,  the consistency of water. Dip, Brush, spray, or roll.
        Easy clean-up.
        Non toxic
Cons : Really bland looking, sort of like dirty wood.  This is on yellow pine, it may look different on other woods.

[OldMech]

   I have been told this stuff works minor miracles but have not tried it myself yet.. I cant get past the cost...

   http://www.deckstainhelp.com/one-time-wood-deck-stain-review/