How far do you think a can of quality paint will go?

[contactme_11]

I usually paint my woodenwares with whatever I have or people give me. I used to work as a painter and I know that it is not the best way to preserve stuff outside. Really you should primer with an oil based primer, and finish with 1 (or better 2) coats of exterior grade latex paint. I recently found that I had a whole gallon of Benjamin Moore brand flat exterior white paint (around $31.99) left over from a job last year. I also have several partial cans of oil based primers. I know that there are many critics on if it is worth the cost to buy paint for beehives. So the plan is this, as I paint equipment I will use 1 coat of primer on everything and finish with 1 or 2 finish coats. I will keep a list on this post and update it every time I paint something else from this 1 gallon until it runs out. We'll see just how far it goes.

2 bottom boards, 10 frame- 2 coats
1 bottom board, 8 frame- 1 coat
2 deep boxes, 10 frame- 2 coats
2 med. boxes, 8 frame- 2 coats
6 med. boxes, 10 frame- 2 coats
1 deep nuc- 1 coat
7 med. boxes, 10 frame- 1 coat

[John Schwartz]

Great info, thx for sharin!

[doak]

I don't waste time or $$'s on primer. I put a good first light coat on, then another little heaver coat to hide any showing wood grain then a good third coat. 2or3 years later when they start showing weathering, I wire brush and slap another coat, or two if it needs it. Re paint as needed.
my put. :)doak

[Kathyp]

that's what i do also.  i buy oops paint when i find it and slap it on. 

[the kid]

I think what    contactme_11   is getting at is he will be useing a   PREMEUM paint not a what ever I have paint ..  to see if it will out last
"what ever paint "   long enough to be worth getting   the "PREMEUM "paint  , price wise .  I don't know about you , but I hate painting ,  if the "PREMEUM "paint ment I would only have to paint it twice and not 4  times ,, then i would get the "PREMEUM "paint .

[contactme_11]

No offence but if you actually use primer then you would only need 2 coats of paint, not 3. Also primer is not a waste of time because as you said you would probably end up doing 3 coats of finish paint anyway. And as far as money goes, you can buy an oil based primer such as kilz or bins for around $10 so you actually save money on paint if you are buying it. To top that off you will get way better adhesion using a good primer and the paint will last at least 10-15 years as opposed to 3.

I don't waste time or $$'s on primer. I put a good first light coat on, then another little heaver coat to hide any showing wood grain then a good third coat. 2or3 years later when they start showing weathering, I wire brush and slap another coat, or two if it needs it. Re paint as needed.
my put. :)doak

[Kathyp]

the oops paint i buy is usually the expensive stuff that has been mis-colored.  at 5 dollars a gallon, it's hard to beat.  we also have a paint recycling place in portland.  i can get 5 gallon bucket at a great price.  being the cheap person i am, i can't justify 20 dollars a gallon even if it saves me one coat of paint.

[contactme_11]

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with oops paint. I use it all the time, but only if it is an exterior grade paint. No matter what the paint though, a good primer really helps and isn't all that expensive when you consider the longevity you can gain.

the oops paint i buy is usually the expensive stuff that has been mis-colored.  at 5 dollars a gallon, it's hard to beat.  we also have a paint recycling place in portland.  i can get 5 gallon bucket at a great price.  being the cheap person i am, i can't justify 20 dollars a gallon even if it saves me one coat of paint.

[contactme_11]

Update. Also for those who were wondering, I am brush painting everything.

[doak]

Most any good exterior paint will do. You can get good quality paint at oops prices.
I do. :)doak

[contactme_11]

Agreed. Please see reply #7

Most any good exterior paint will do. You can get good quality paint at oops prices.
I do. :)doak

[contactme_11]

update: the same can is still going this year.
2 Bottom boards (1 coat)
2 med. supers (1 coat)

[KD4MOJ]

HHmmm my exterior latex says it has primer. 2 coats with that and I'm good to go.

...DOUG
KD4MOJ