Observation hive - what type of finish

[FredBorn]

I made a small one frame obseravtion hive to take to bee talks.

I plan to put a frame in the observation hive just before I go to the meeting/talk and put it back in the hive immediatelty after.

I made it out of plain pine.

What could I finish it with? Varnish, shellack, ???

Thanks

fred - citrus county florida

[Apis629]

You could probably finish the ouside with just about anything you want(varnish, stain, wax coat, etc.) just don't finish the inside.  I had a permenant observation hive just last year.  I didn't apply any kind of finish given it was an indoor hive but, if you let it dry and air out for a while the bees would probably be fine with any kind of finish on the OUTSIDE of the observational hive.

[stilllearning]

shellack would be a bad choice,  it is affected by water,  I am sure
you have seen fine furniture with a white ring where someone set
a wet glass.  That happens on a shellack finish
varnish outside nothing inside would be my choice.

[Michael Bush]

I'd only finish the outside.  I'd use polyurethane or nothing or boiled linseed oil.  :)

[leominsterbeeman]

Mine is coated with polyurethane, outside only.  

 

[Dale]

Only do the outside.  But then be creative, but practical as well.  I stained mine, and put 2 coats of polyurethane on it.

[Ross]

I use analine dye stain (water based) and shellac.  Dried shellac is considered food grade.  It is used to coat capsules, so it can be used inside if you wanted.  I don't.