Paint/Stain What do you use/How long is it lasting?

[urbanoutlaw]

As far as paint, I use Valspar 2-in-1 primer + paint for finishing my hives.

What kind of service life are you getting out of the Valspar paint? I scored some of the 2-in-1 on oops special at Lowes.

[psfred]

Ten years isn't very long -- my brother's "old" hive will be eight years old this year, and we are thinking it might need another coat of paint.

The Behr Ultra-Premium is wonderful stuff -- very easy to apply and dries very hard, unlike some other paints I've used that never really seem to set properly, you can peel them off with a fingernail.

Sealed, primed, and properly painted boxes should last quite a while so long as you don't pry on the rabbet or leave them out in the rain without a proper cover. You will need to repaint every ten years or so.

More important is to make absolutely positive that the end grain is sealed and that the box joints do not have open gaps. I finally quit screwing around with my old box joint jig after nearly ruining a couple boxes tonight and made a new one. Perfect this time, the joints require a tap with a mallet to fit completely together, which means a small amount of glue will seal them properly.

I suspect the eco-treatment is milk paint without filler. If so, it should last quite a while. I still prefer paint, mainly because my boxes have knots!

Peter

[bluegrass]

I think sometimes we put in too much effort worrying about stuff like paint/stain types. I have a stack of boxes that have whitewash on them and are dated from the early 50s. I still keep bees in them. I did try painting over some of them, but paint doesn't stick well to layers of whitewash.

[pat kelly]

Ahhh the age old question, to paint, stain, etc. This is what we do and it works for us.

We build our own boxes out of pine and brand every panel before assembly using the drill press method. During assembly we use Titebond III on the joints and fasten them using 7/16x1.5" galvanized staples via a Senco pneumatic stapler. Once the glue dries we prepare a batch of Eco Treatment. It comes in a powder form and we make 5-10 gallons at a shot using distilled water. The reason for the distilled water is that it will store in solution longer without worry, per the manufacturer. In addition, for each gallon of mix we add about 5 ounces (a little more than 1/2 a cup) of water based dye, which can be purchased at your local paint or big box store. The reason for the dye is to further distinguish our equipment even though it is branded. We use browns and greens to blend in with the surroundings and to warrant a clean look. Eco is poured into a large pan and each super is rotated through the solution. The interior and the sides all get coated. We treat all equipment the same. Yes it uses a lot of eco treatment, but compare the product cost to the labor cost of paining equipment. Plus the eco allows for the branding to stand out.

The average lifespan of a super, in our opinion is 10 years. We stopped dealing with paint for several reasons, but the main reason being that one day a large chip of oil based paint lodged itself under a finger nail. From that point on, no more paint.

this is our second season with eco wood, dip mine inside and out,stack in yard to dry ,hose out and off let dry and store,seen no ill effects from bees, they will crawl on them while they dry seem not to bother them in hive

[Adam Foster Collins]

Funny, when I was researching paints, I found no brand so consistently hated as Behr. I really have no experience with it myself. I was scared off by the reviews. Interesting to read about happy cutomers here though - I guess you never know until you try things.

I ended up using Sico solid stain in a dark brown.

Can you paint or stain over Eco Wood treatment?

Adam

[DonShackelford]

Can you paint or stain over Eco Wood treatment?

I use "Zinser 123" primer sold at Lowes. Interior/Exterior, covers any surface, and any paint can be used over it.

Just my 2 cents, Behr is low quality paint.

[jim lyon]

Perhaps this link won't work for most as access to ratings need a membership (about the best $20 you will ever spend). In short it shows Behr and Glidden as the top rated paints in the semi-gloss (unless you choose to spend $60 per gallon for Sherwin Williams.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/h...s-overview.htm
Don: I can't vouch for every Behr product but I will just say that as an independent testing lab (that is beholding to no one) Consumer Reports generally rates Behr and California paint products very highly. It's a bit odd in my mind because I don't have a very high opinion of the overall quality of products sold in HD

[Barry]

Did Benjamin Moore make the list at all? I think their paints are some of the best.

[rsjohnson2u]

To those using stain. Does the stronger smell of oil-based stain affect the bees? We had some one in our club use stain last spring, and when he opened the back of his car, the smell was overwhelming, and he had stained them two WEEKS before (they sure were pretty, though).

[jim lyon]

Did Benjamin Moore make the list at all? I think their paints are some of the best.

They rate them after 3, 6, and 9 years of exposure. The only Benjamin Moore products they have tested are still in the early testing stages but look good to this point. The magazine article this past June has some additional info not on the web site. They only have a limited number of products in their testing program, don't know why. Their test results were the reason I first tried them and seeing the results really sold me.

[NeonBee]

If you are going to use stain you have to allow them to completely dry and off gas. Depending on weather could be upwards of 6 weeks.

Let me clarify our 10 year opinion on the life of a super. From a business perspective 10 years is what we use as a maximum for woodenware replacement. Constant moving takes its wear and tear on boxes and we take pride in our equipment. We repair and replace as necessary - it is usually less expensive to replace if you pay labor. As a marketing tool, our hives look pristine, we keep medication records, and have a method to inventory our equipment. If you were looking for pollination services would you tend to contract out to someone who's boxes are falling apart and look worn, or would you tend to think that nice boxes, well maintained equipment, lots of bees and a high level of professionalism offers more? It's not only about having healthy bees - perception plays a large role especially if you want those corporate farm contracts. Remember there are many external factors that effect wooden ware lifespan.

I am not saying what we do is right or is the best method, all I can report is what we do and what works for us. Even after 25 years there is still a learning curve and a more efficient approach. Always be improving in order to exceed survival.

[jim lyon]

Let me clarify our 10 year opinion on the life of a super. From a business perspective 10 years is what we use as a maximum for woodenware replacement. Constant moving takes its wear and tear on boxes and we take pride in our equipment.

So you are saying all equipment is routinely replaced after 10 years?

[Barry]

Thanks Jim. I've been happy with Behr overall. Still use Moore Impervo for interior trim and like their exterior house paint as well. I know they've been changing their products recently. I'll give your Behr exterior a try.

[dixiebooks]

I've been experimenting with numerous paints and stains. I have a gallon of Behr (purchased as an "oops" can) and thought that something was wrong as it was so thick compared to other paints. I just put it on thick and as it dried it seemed to soak into the wood. I was really impressed with how easily it went on and I put on two coats. So far, it is doing very well. The only place I am having problems is where I painted over joints sealed up with exterior wood filler. I'm inclined to think that is a problem with the filler (Elmer's) and not with the Behr paint. (I've recently begun using some Red Devil Crack Patch "premium acrylic spackling" to see how well it holds up. I've read recently about using bondo and may try that, as well.)

As I said, Behr is THICK - the thickest I've ever used - at least, until I got some Cabot Solid Acrylic "Stain". Now, that stuff is REALLY thick - like painting with Pepsodent. But it, too, soaks in really well and allows for two coats. A local big box had 5 1-gallon cans of that Cabot solid stain for just a smidgen over $2 per can on the oops rack. I couldn't resist for that price and plus the fact that it is white.

FWIW, I've tried some Glidden and found that it inhales rather sharply, if you know what I mean. The worst I've tried so far is some from Wal-Mart.

Maybe in a few years I can report back on what works in my area and what doesn't.

-js

[DonShackelford]

Admittedly, I had one bad experience with Behr. It has been a few years, and probably does not reflect all their paint.

[tefer2]

I found some of the Cabot solid color acrylic stain on the table for $5.00. It was normally $38.00. I'm liking it so far. Trying to figure out how to thin it for the airless.
Drys fast and the stacked boxes don't stick