Water Proofing

BlueBee · September 24, 2011, 12:00:07 AM

What is your best method for water proofing wood? In particular wood that will be holding a liquid? I've been using paraffin wax for my water proofing needs, but I find this a time consuming process (I don't have a dip tank).

In particular what works good for water proofing a top feeder? Here is one I water proofed with paraffin wax. Is there anything better, easier, quicker?

bulldog · September 24, 2011, 12:33:19 AM

a few coats of polyurethane would do the trick, but it might be just as time consuming as it takes a while to dry between coats.

rober · September 24, 2011, 01:18:20 AM

call a few sheet metal shops & see if they will bend & solder a liner pan. wood expands & contracts with humidity changes. a hard finish like spar varnish or polyurethane will eventually crack from the movement of the wood. i've worked on old roof-top cooling towers with wood pipes & on wooden boats. what keeps them from leaking is the high moisture content keeps the wood swollen so the joints stay tight. i'm using division board feeders in an empty hive box sitting on top of the inner cover.

Finski · September 24, 2011, 01:28:11 AM

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Get plastic feeding boxes. Next 50 years you need not worry about them.

Put plastic film inside the wooden box (i have used it really)

rober · September 24, 2011, 01:42:34 AM

the division board feeders are plastic. also the homemade plastic bucket feeders with lids work too. you can get the 2 gallon size plastic buckets from local grocery chains that bake in the store. icing & cream fillings come in them. most stores throw them out & are happy to give them away. i left my phone # with the closest stores & they call me when they have some. these are 2 gal.,3 1/2 gal., & 5 gal. food grade buckets. i set the buckets in my yard overnight & the critters ( probably coons ) clean them up before i wash them out.

Finski · September 24, 2011, 08:31:16 AM

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A good tool is "hot glue pistol". The glue is melted plastic.
You may glue plastic sheets with it. You may use many kind of mesh to make glue work rigid.

FRAMEshift · September 24, 2011, 12:22:13 PM

A bead of silicone caulk on all the joints.

BlueBee · September 24, 2011, 12:47:35 PM

I have tried the bead of caulk idea but I still got some bleed through. Maybe those areas would self plug with sugar over time?

Finski · September 24, 2011, 01:26:55 PM

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I tried to handle beeware with paraffin oil, but it is really expencive.

Then I handle normal bottom board ply with candle paraffin +heating with propan torch.
It did not work. The plye grows black mold. Paraffin does not seem to give any ptotection to bottom board.

FRAMEshift · September 24, 2011, 01:30:51 PM

Quote from: BlueBee on September 24, 2011, 12:47:35 PM
I have tried the bead of caulk idea but I still got some bleed through. Maybe those areas would self plug with sugar over time?

They probably would self plug if they leak. But I think if you make a wide bead and spread it on both sides of the joint about 1/4" with your finger you should not get bleed through. And make sure you are using a silicone based caulk.

FRAMEshift · September 24, 2011, 01:33:40 PM

Quote from: Finski on September 24, 2011, 01:26:55 PM
The plye grows black mold. Paraffin does not seem to give any ptotection to bottom board.

BluBee, I assumed you were interested mainly in preventing leaks. I don't worry about mold. When I finish with the feeders, I hose them out with water and set them in the sun to dry for a few days. UV light seems to keep the mold in check.

Finski · September 24, 2011, 06:10:17 PM

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It seems that you love to play with your feeders :shock: :-D

Sundog · September 25, 2011, 12:04:08 PM

Quote from: BlueBee on September 24, 2011, 12:47:35 PM
I have tried the bead of caulk idea but I still got some bleed through. Maybe those areas would self plug with sugar over time?

You might try DAP Ceramic and Aquarium Household Adhesive Sealant. It is 100% Silicone and, according to the label, it is "Safe for food contact" and "won't crack or shrink".

Have fun!

rail · September 25, 2011, 09:04:47 PM

Quote from: rober on September 24, 2011, 01:18:20 AM
call a few sheet metal shops & see if they will bend & solder a liner pan. wood expands & contracts with humidity changes. a hard finish like spar varnish or polyurethane will eventually crack from the movement of the wood. i've worked on old roof-top cooling towers with wood pipes & on wooden boats. what keeps them from leaking is the high moisture content keeps the wood swollen so the joints stay tight. i'm using division board feeders in an empty hive box sitting on top of the inner cover.

I had thought about fabricating and Tig welding liner pans for my Miller style feeder. What would be the best material to use, food grade aluminum or stainless steel?

Sundog · September 25, 2011, 10:06:50 PM

Quote from: rail on September 25, 2011, 09:04:47 PM
I had thought about fabricating and Tig welding liner pans for my Miller style feeder. What would be the best material to use, food grade aluminum or stainless steel?

You could go with acrylic or plexiglass. Make a shallow fish tank. You can get material at most h/w stores. Cut it by scoring with a sharp utility knife, then break it over an edge. All materials inert and food safe.

Have fun!

BlueBee · September 26, 2011, 12:45:02 AM

Quote from: Sundog on September 25, 2011, 10:06:50 PM
You could go with acrylic or plexiglass. Make a shallow fish tank. You can get material at most h/w stores. Cut it by scoring with a sharp utility knife, then break it over an edge. All materials inert and food safe.

Have fun!

I LIKE this idea SunDog! Not the lowest cost way of doing things, but it would allow me to spy on the bees better.