Wood Stain

[Fritz]

[attachment=0][/attachment] Has anybody tried this on hive bodies?

[Dallasbeek]

I haven't, but it looks good you're talking about the outside of the hive, right?  If it protects the wood, it would be fine, but my experience with stain is that it lasts about three years.  Maybe a better stain would last longer, though.

[brolib]

I started using Tall Earth this spring. Comes in a package identical to the product you show. Used it on about a dozen boxes, covers and bottom boards. Really like the patina it develops, but too soon to evaluate the weatherproofing qualities.

[Colobee]

I started rotating out a bunch of old boxes last year & replacing them with new. I opted to go with the stain & Linseed approach.

I really like the medium stain & oiled look. It's also MUCH easier to wipe another coat of Linseed Oil on the active hives than it is to re-paint them. It takes about 30 seconds to do a 5 medium stack & bottom, being just a little cautious around the entrance as the bees are flying.  An old (white) sock works great as an applicator and the bees don't seem to be the least bit bothered by the smell. The whole yard can be re-oiled in about 10 minutes.

I'm in the same boat - too soon to give a practical evaluation - but I sure like the way they look going into the second year. I'll be happy to spend  20 minutes a year re-oiling them - once in the spring, & once in the fall. I'll report back as the years go by...

I guess I need to figure out how to convert a jpeg into a jpg, so I can post some pics...

[attachment=0][/attachment] ...ahhhh, there we go, 3 in one - the stained hives, the e-fence, and yes, that's a "trained" bear in the background

[BeeMaster2]

That is an awesome picture. Was that on a game camera or did you take it? That looks like a good size bear.
Jim

[GSF]

man, I love that picture.

[CrazyTalk]

Colobee - how often do you reapply the oil? I've got Danish oil on some wood stuff outdoors, and I'm starting to see damage after less than a season. Did I just not put enough on, or does linseed hold up much better?

[Dallasbeek]

I have a swing hanging from a tree branch that i stained 3 years ago.  It weathered enoigh that I just restained it this spring.  This time, I put two coats of stain, then applied spar varnish.  We'll see if that is better.  With just stain, water beaded up on the surface very nicely, but it wore away fairly fast.

[Fritz]

Thanks brolib. It states that it is non toxic, and 1 application is all that is "ever" needed. If that statement is correct, this product would be an economical approach to preserving wood. I guess my question really is, how long is the "ever"?

[Colobee]

I took that pic with my cel phone. I had just finished doing some hive work, sat down, & saw something big & black, moving out back at about 50-60 yards. That's the first bear I've actually seen in quite some time, although there are frequent reports of sightings and damages from the neighbors (mostly garbage raids).

The boxes have been "re-oiled" once. We don't get a whole lot of rain. I suspect the sun does more wood damage overall. I like the look, and have the time to maintain them.