Hive wood treatment ?

[Markf3625]

Right, took the plunge and ordered a pine national hive all in, brood box, 2 supers frames wax etc, (pic attached hopefully) from bee-equipment.co.uk,yes I know 'pine' but I'm on a limited budget, what I wanted to ask, as it is pine, what do recommend to treat, preserve and weather proof the hive, I have plenty of time, a good few months to apply multiple coats.
What do you guys recommend.

Cheers
Mark

 

[Swarm]

Make sure the joints are flush and well glued as well when you put it together, my landlord paints his with Sadolin and it seems to do a good job.

 

[PeaBee]

Any decent wood preservative (fence/shed paint) will be fine. I would stick to the main brands others can be watery. Or some of the external paints paints like cuprinol shades seem to work well. I painted some ply nucs in that and they are still going strong.
You might kick yourself for buying pine when you see cedar in the sales in a month or two.

 

[Markf3625]

I probably will, but was £103 so went for it, I just got to look after it

 

[PeaBee]

Should be fine. I have plenty of pine boxes I use as supers and they hold up no problem. Try to use ceder for brood as they stay out all winter, but always end up with some none ceder staying out.
If you look at ITLD twitter (calluna4u) he has pine boxes from the late 40s still going strong. Give them a couple of coats of somthing decent on the outside (bees sort out the inside) and they should be fine.

 

[Anduril]

Make sure the joints are flush and well glued as well when you put it together, my landlord paints his with Sadolin and it seems to do a good job.

I've used Sadolin as well, on some of my equipment. Haven't had to repaint them after 6 years of use.

 

[Ian123]

Use the sadolin classic not the extra, the extra does not penetrate as much and forms more of a layer/skin.

 

[W0otz]

I've heard good things about tung oil and it's definitely safe to use on hives. If I had pine boxes it's probably what I'd use.
Cuprinol Garden Shades seem to be a popular choice, so I assume it's bee-safe though I can't vouch for the preservative qualities.
I sprayed my shed with Cuprinol One Coat Sprayable 3-4 years ago and water still beads nicely.

Whatever you use, just treat the outside and, optionally, the mating faces between boxes. Don't paint the insides.

 

[The Poot]

I’ve used this and found it excellent - quick drying, penetrates well and gives a natural finish. It’s easy to recoat too.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Dip them in a nice bit of real creosote

 

[PeaBee]

Dip them in a nice bit of real creosote

If only you could still get it easily.
I have floors that are older than me the obviously had a good coating/soaking in creosote some time in the 70s. Bees dont seem to object

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

If only you could still get it easily.

Agricultural suppliers - especially ones that specialise in poultry

 

[Apiarisnt]

Agricultural suppliers - especially ones that specialise in poultry

https://www.nfuonline.com/archive?treeid=149475

 

[Monbees]

Agricultural suppliers - especially ones that specialise in poultry

I believe you need to have a holding number and then it is only available in 25 litre containers.

 

[rook66]

Dip them in a nice bit of real creosote

Is the new formula cresote not up to the job?

 

[bigadg]

I use tung oil

 

[Brian Bush]

I use decking oil. It seems to work really well

 

[Austin]

I was advised by my course tutor to use a 50/50 mix of genuine turpentine and linseed oil.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Is the new formula cresote not up to the job?

no

 

[Tony Slater]

Right, took the plunge and ordered a pine national hive all in, brood box, 2 supers frames wax etc, (pic attached hopefully) from bee-equipment.co.uk,yes I know 'pine' but I'm on a limited budget, what I wanted to ask, as it is pine, what do recommend to treat, preserve and weather proof the hive, I have plenty of time, a good few months to apply multiple coats.
What do you guys recommend.

Cheers
Mark

I use exterior masonry paint. Goes on easily, dries quickly and is relatively cheap. I use white, to keep cooler in summer and warmer in winter.