paint vs stain?

[poka-bee]

I don't see many hives in the pics with stain, is there a reason?  I was wondering about colors too but saw in the winter building post the green so I can be creative?  Why do most people have white? I so envy the people that can build.. ;) most tools & I don't mix!

Have a great evening!

Jody

[asprince]

most tools & I don't mix!

That is why GOD gave you ten fingers.............

I think hives are mostly painted white because they are cooler in the sun.

Steve

[reinbeau]

White would be cooler, however, we were more concerned with camouflaging the hives so as to not draw attention to them - the neighbors were freaked out by our beekeeping activities (although that has died down now, thankfully).  Also, we're in a bit cooler climate anyways, so a darker color would absorb what little sunlight we get in the winter, which is generally a good thing around here!

[randydrivesabus]

i think you'll get stung whether you stain or not.

[CBEE]

I'll second Randy's motion.. All in favor say aye :-D

[Cindi]

Jody, people paint their hives any colour under the sun.  There are some very pretty hives that I have seen pictures of.  One that particularly comes to my mind are the ones Carriage House painted, they were a lovely lime green and white, beautiful.

White is thought to be a good (or light colours) colour because it reflects the sun and does not absorb heat like darker colours will.  That is good for the summertime, to keep the colonies more cool.  But whether it really matters or not?  Unsure.  Look at the colour of tree trunks, they are dark, hmmmm.....

I like white because I like white.  The colour white, in my mind's eye, depicts purity and cleanliness.  This is apis mellifera, clean, pure, the epitomy of purity, as is the product that they produce, that we as humans love to ingest.  I like the look of clean white hives standing out against the blue sky, the green and brown of the trees, and the contrast of white against the beautiful green grass, especially when the giant dandelions bloom in the apiary.  It is a beautiful and clean sight, and I love it.

With white boxes, I can easily see from a distance the bees against the box.  I can see from a distance if the bees are bearding and too hot.  I can watch the orientation flights of the bees, they stand out against the white boxes.  I can see (if I ever could be there when it happens), a swarm pouring out the front of the box.  Many advantages of a white hive.  With a white hive one can see if the bees are sick, for example in the case of nosema.  Look at the pictures that 2-Wheeler put on the thread he was talking about his colonies in.  He showed two pictures of two different hives, both painted white.  It clearly showed the bee feces against the white of the box.  I think there are many advantages to white boxes and ones that are painted light colours.

It is all a personal preference, you will decide your own preference, whatever the colour it will be, and that will be all fine.  The colonies will be a wonderful work of art.  Have a wonderful and great day, Cindi

[NWIN Beekeeper]

White while it always appear sanitary when brand new, can be difficult to keep clean and shows dirty easily.
Early on I believe white was used because there weren't big choices in color - and white is easy to match.
White does reflect the heat well, but that isn't always needed in the North or in well shaded area - tree lines.

[...we were more concerned with camouflaging the hives so as to not draw attention to them ]

Consider the color of the items that background the hives.
Base your color choice upon that.
If you are in a warm area with much sun, think about what color is light yet blends.
If you are in a cooler area, then darkness matters a little less.

I have not been a fan of stain - except my first year. 
I find that isn't anything satisfactory to keep a good top coat that doesn't flake or peel.
There are a variety of marine products or log cabin finishes, but their price reflects the quality.

So my advice is to find a good quality latex paint that is similar to other background colors.
This is often a light grey or chocolate color in wooded areas.
I might keep in mind a neutral color if you have any plans of moving the hives.

-Jeff

[Brian D. Bray]

I buy the OOPs cans from the hardware store.  I can get a gallon of paint or stain that normally sells for over $30.00 for a mere 5 bucks. I have several cans on hand from off white to pink to a touch of lavender.  Most of the hives I have in the yard are yellow with green tops and bottoms.  But, really, any color will do except maybe black or dark brown that draws the heat a bit too much.  A variety of colors, however they end up stacked, makes the hives easier to identify by returning foragers.

[poka-bee]

Thank you all for your input.  I especially like the OOps idea! In the NW here we only(usually) get 2-3 days when it is over 90 so I don't think there is much worry about getting too hot, the darker color would be helpful in the winter, I can always rig a shade from the top of the barn  This multi-color scheme appeals to my "rebel" side & would effectively camo the hives as my husband always leaves "junk" out in the yard! I can't wait for BEES!

[NWIN Beekeeper]

[I buy the OOPs cans ...of paint...that normally sells for over $30.00 for a mere 5 bucks.]

This is also my favorite!
I have to be careful that I get only the EXTERIOR latex, as most mismatches are yuppie interior paint.
I buy whatever color and use it as a base coat, then it fills whatever cracks, etc.
Then I top coat with a color of my choice. My color goes much further this way.

Avoid oil bases as they dry to a harden sheet that chips easy on a soft, flexible, wood surface.
Latex is nice because it has a degree of flexibility even when dry.

[Sir Stungalot]

I have a blast when I paint my hives. I have tons of them and if they were all white...how blah.  One of the reasons I love using intense color (opps!) is that each hive starts to have "personality" in my mind. It is easier for me to remember that the cotton candy pink with a broad Royal blue stripe hive needs another super rather than hive number 57 (now where is that one?) needs it.
In addition to that, I stage a lot of my hives rather near the road...the color is better than any old "Honey for Sale" sign..trust me. To me, in the morning light, my otherwise dull white hives look like jewels of many rich colors.
Do I use white? Oh, here and there but the way I usually use white is to create new, pastel colors when I get bored with the electric shades. Just mix untill I like it! When you mix white with the base color you are using on the hive, it makes a pleasing color combination for the supers you intend to stack on it.. Sometimes I pick up those little, pint size cans of intense, primary colors just for mixing into white (or whatever).  One of the most beautifull few hives I painted were (get this) a Chartruse!  The color looked real barf-bag in the can but on the hives, with the supers alternated with white! Wow!
When I get really bored, I pick up cheap stencils and a can of spray paint.  No confusion when my bees are flying back to THEIR hive!  I even bought metalic gold, just for the heck of it. Looks like a shiny new penny out there. How long will that last? Who knows, who cares? It looks cool! I have never had the bees picket their homes, complaining of the color -so I guess it is o.k. with them.
Point is, painting hives is dull, boring work. Soooo...pretend you are the Picasso of the bee world and make it a bit more fun. Good thing the OPPS! Paint is almost always bright colors. At 4-5 bucks a can for top-notch paint, I can go nutts and not feel guilty. Oh, I might add that my goofy 19 year old daughter likes to draw on the hives too. Well, they are for sure unique then.

As for all heat stuff...I doubt it makes all that much difference. In Texas, summer hives, to the touch of my hand, all feel hot. White, green, blue...whatever. In the winter, there is a bit of difference.

Stain? How.....ordinary, lol.

[DayValleyDahlias]

Is it okay to just give them a quick once over with paint whilst the bees are inside?  Or do I have to switch  out the boxes?   :roll:

[Understudy]

Is it okay to just give them a quick once over with paint whilst the bees are inside?  Or do I have to switch  out the boxes?   :roll:

I would not be inclined to paint a box with bees in it. I think the paint smell might not be a good thing on many levels.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[Cindi]

Sir Stungalot.  You are painting a very wonderful and beautiful picture of all the painting you have done on your boxes, yeah!!!  Sounds very neat.  Maybe, I am going to sway a little away from the white, which all my boxes are painted.  Things could be a little more interesting, and why not, life is an adventure.  I have the prettiest colour of lime green that one of my foster boys painted his room, it almost glows in the dark.....maybe a few boxes of that alternated with white, and maybe some pretty pinks, hee, hee, gotta keep that girly side of me.  Have a wonderful and greatest of days.  Cindi

[Kimbrell]

I'm with Sir Stungalot.  I found all my white hives a little too bland for my tastes.  I bought bee stencils and some stencilling paint and had a blast!

[Sean Kelly]

I'm boring, my hives are white.  Kind of a traditionalist and wanted mine to look like what you see in movies and pictures.  Your right though, they are getting kinda dirty lookin.

Sean Kelly

[Michael Bush]

Here's what mine look like:

http://www.bushfarms.com/images/Stand1.jpg
http://www.bushfarms.com/images/Stand2.jpg
http://www.bushfarms.com/images/AssortedWidths.JPG
http://www.bushfarms.com/images/TypicalHiveMyHive.JPG
http://www.bushfarms.com/images/EightTenEightHives.jpg
http://www.bushfarms.com/images/TenFrameToEight.JPG
http://www.bushfarms.com/images/LongHiveSupered.JPG

[poka-bee]

Ok, now you guys have done it...I was going to start w/1 hive...Sirstungalot, do you have pics of your rainbow?  I can imagine the colors, so cheerful! &  am thinking the people at my CSA , Church & Mk girlfriends will all want "real" honey.  I imagine the difference in taste & looks is much like the difference in the "anemic" eggs from the store & what I get from my girls? Off to the paint store for Boo-Boo paint!