How to clean wax from polycarbonate crown board?

[Amari]

The vision through most of my polycarbonate CBs is obscured by brace comb. The clarity remains poor because of residual wax, even after scraping it off and soaking in washing soda, . Grateful for advice. I have pinched a pic from another thread (Thanks and apols @Do224)
https://beekeepingforum.co.uk/threads/brood-boxes-filling-up.55946/#post-882404

 

[enrico]

That is what happens to them. No real solution.

 

[Erichalfbee]

The vision through most of my polycarbonate CBs is obscured by brace comb. The clarity remains poor because of residual wax, even after scraping it off and soaking in washing soda, . Grateful for advice. I have pinched a pic from another thread (Thanks and apols @Do224)
https://beekeepingforum.co.uk/threads/brood-boxes-filling-up.55946/#post-882404

This never happens to mine because I have top bee space. They are crystal clear after years of use except round the edge where I have scraped off propolis

 

[Swarm]

Try a razor blade, that should help.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Pop in freezer and then scrape with a windscreen ice scraper

 

[pargyle]

Pop in freezer and then scrape with a windscreen ice scraper

Yes, that works ... you can even use a hive tool if you are reasonably careful.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

never get the problem with plywood or OSB crown boards,
And never found the need to stare at them in the winter

 

[Do224]

This never happens to mine because I have top bee space. They are crystal clear after years of use except round the edge where I have scraped off propolis

Isn’t top bee space when the bees can move between the top bars and the crown board?

 

[Do224]

never get the problem with plywood or OSB crown boards,
And never found the need to stare at them in the winter

Clear crown boards are fantastic if you’ve just got a handful of hives…I’m forever having a peek at what mine are up to. Probably not practical if you’ve loads of hive though

 

[Erichalfbee]

Isn’t top bee space when the bees can move between the top bars and the crown board?

Yes and the space between boxes is created by a space over the top bars
It’s the standard in Langstroth and mist suppliers now stock National wood boxes as top space.
The new Abelo 12 frame boxes are top space.
I have the old style and have customised the broods.

 

[Do224]

Yes and the space between boxes is created by a space over the top bars

So why don’t you get the brace comb on the crown board if you have top bee space… ?

 

[Erichalfbee]

It’s only bee space. You could ask why bees don’t brace any bee space in the hive. They just don’t unless they are running out of space
Interestingly I have 5cm vaping ekes on my boxes for 16 days while I do 4 vapes and there’s never any comb there

 

[Do224]

It’s only bee space. You could ask why bees don’t brace any bee space in the hive. They just don’t unless they are running out of space
Interestingly I have 5cm vaping ekes on my boxes for 16 days while I do 4 vapes and there’s never any comb there

My clear crown boards just have bee space above top bars too. Normally they remain clear but the flow last week caused this hive to make brace comb…

 

[Erichalfbee]

My clear crown boards just have bee space above top bars too. Normally they remain clear but the flow last week caused this hive to make brace comb…

View attachment 37644

Yes. They were running out of space

 

[Do224]

Yes. They were running out of space

Should I do something about it?

 

[pargyle]

never get the problem with plywood or OSB crown boards,
And never found the need to stare at them in the winter

You don't know what you are missing - it's better than TV on boxing day and a great excuse to get out of the washing up ! " "I must go and look at the bees "