Rusty bee veil

[paintingpreacher]

Any suggestions how to make veils last longer, during the summer they rust out in a very short time. I have several that look like new except for the worn out screens.

[Michael Bush]

Where are you? How wet is your climate?

I've never had any rust. The metal ones were painted black and that seemed to work fine. The nylon ones would eventually get brittle and break but they never rusted. Maybe you need a new kind of veil?

[paintingpreacher]

I am located in Northeast Mississippi, the weather here is extremely humid. Lot of sweating going on in the summer. I have two veils that rusted out this past summer. I have thought about spraying them with some type of lubricant but don't know if it would help are not. Maybe I do need to try a different type.

[Michael Bush]

I suppose you could oil them. FGMO (mineral oil laxitive) would be oderless and therefore probably not bother you or the bees.

[TX Ashurst]

Why not rub some beeswax lightly into the screen? It ought to offer some protection and maybe it will calm the bees, too.

[TX Ashurst]

P.S. I soften beeswax with mineral oil (about 50/50)
for use as a rubbing compound on wood furniture I make. It is easy to spread and shouldn't fill the spaces between the wires too bad. Rub it in, wipe off as much as you can, good to go.

[reneal]

I had a veil that developed a hole due to rust. I just cut out a piece of black fiberglass flyscreen the right size and used it as a replacement screen. Just a little seam-ripping & sewing involved. Its been a couple years & seems to work fine. Of course I've only got a couple hives, so it might not hold up if it got a lot of wear & tear.