Paint wood top before nailing on metal?

Intheswamp · December 01, 2011, 04:00:07 PM

Is it a good idea to paint the top area of the telescoping top cover before nailing on the sheet metal? In other words, is it good to have a coat of paint between the wood and metal...or does it really matter?

Thanks,
Ed

Kathyp · December 01, 2011, 05:29:29 PM

probably depends on where you live. i paint everything but the inside of the hive because it's so wet here. sure wouldn't hurt.

Intheswamp · December 01, 2011, 07:32:11 PM

Thanks, I wasn't sure if the wood needed to "breath" between it and the metal or if the paint might react (gas off?) to the heat from the metal or something. Maybe I'm trying to think to hard about this, eh? :)

Thanks for the feedback.

Ed

AllenF · December 01, 2011, 08:06:35 PM

I have never painted under the metal or seen it done.

Intheswamp · December 01, 2011, 08:16:32 PM

Allen, do you paint the side rails and then put the metal on or do you put the metal on and then paint?

Ed

AllenF · December 01, 2011, 09:54:09 PM

I have done it both ways (depending on if I can remember to paint it first). But mostly I put all the crap together and then paint the crap out of it last. Sides of the metal tops do get paint also when I am slopping it on.

Sundog · December 02, 2011, 07:45:52 PM

For me it's just a hobby and I only have a couple of hives, so I can take my time. I paint all sides and edges. Two coats of thinned primer so it will soak well, and a couple of top coats. I had more than enough paint left over in my garage, I was glad to get rid of it. I think it is better to paint all sides so that moisture can't get into the wood. When it does get in, it will blister the paint from the inside. On my tops I am careful with the nails and seal them with RTV. I use Liquid nails to help hold the tin flashing in place. I don't think the metal is even necessary if the edges of the wood are sealed with something like watered down Tightbond II and painted. Nothing lasts forever, I figure mine will probably outlive me and after that, I wish the bees well.

Have fun!

http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab218/Sunchaser01/P5300013-1.jpg

Intheswamp · December 03, 2011, 12:32:00 AM

AllenF, what you've said makes sense. Being a newbee I'll probably have to do it all nice and neat to start with. I'm hoping to grow my apiary so I'm hoping that I will get to a point one day where the goal will be to simply get the paint on and move on to other chores. For now I have the luxury of the small hobbiest. :)

Sundog, I hear ya on the paint. I had a gallon of Kilz and a gallon of some nice Valspar 1-coat latex/acrylic with primer built-in. I went with a coat of the primer and a coat of the paint. I figure if that doesn't do it I'll paint'em again later. I've taken care to get the end grain and any cracks or crevices painted. I tried to take care and not get paint on what would be the inside of the hive. I like the way the combination of the primer/paint covered things. I'm sure that another coat of paint would have really sealed things but I was rushing to get it ready for some bees. I was worried about the new paint smell but it wasn't bad at all.

I do have to try to get more efficient with my painting, though,...I've got a good bit more to do before spring! :)

Ed