Poly Hives - Do they NEED painting ?

[stucat]

looks good and does the same job, a like of paint wouldn't go amiss (cheapskate) where did you get them from

Cheeky !
There 3 coats of sandtex Smooth on them.
I just looked for a food box long enough to take a frame..I've got the link on my PC, but they're less dense slightly than say, Payne's nucs, which apparently isn't a problem for overwintering (in a mild winter), but they do require more care not to break.and that one has been repaired after a magpie tried eating the lid. I got them just to use as temp accommodation for swarms/splits, but as you say they do the job.
A batten inside and out at both ends to reinforce and to act as carrying handle and frame rest and the jobs a goodun .