Safe-Way Beehive Wood Stain

[Eshott]

I recently bought my first hive and a tin of Safe-Way Beehive Wood Stain. When I started to use the stain on the hive I found that the consistency of the stain was like coloured water. After three coats the wood is still clearly visible. Can anyone tell me if this is as it should be or is there something wrong with the stain. Thank you

 

[Madge]

I think that’s the nature of a stain: it stains, it doesn’t cover the surface like paint. I think your hive looks really good.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I think that’s the nature of a stain: it stains, it doesn’t cover the surface like paint. I think your hive looks really good.

Yes it has that shabby chic look

 

[madasafish]

If you really want a stain that stains, Ronseal's WoodStain with 10 year life is very good..
https://www.wickes.co.uk/Ronseal-10-Year-Woodstain---Dark-Oak-2-5L/p/177966
I tend to use lighter colours but my purchasing is determined largely by being water based- and discounted!

 

[Eshott]

Thank you for your replies

 

[drdrday]

My hives tend to use a nice rainbow mix of whichever pots of Garden Shades (or the DIY store's own cheaper version), that I happen to have!

I find that this stuff comes out somewhere halfway between a paint (completely opaque) and a stain (more translucent). I can do one coat if I want a light colour with grain showing through, and a couple of coats for solid colour.

 

[The Poot in Somerset]

My hives tend to use a nice rainbow mix of whichever pots of Garden Shades (or the DIY store's own cheaper version), that I happen to have!

I find that this stuff comes out somewhere halfway between a paint (completely opaque) and a stain (more translucent). I can do one coat if I want a light colour with grain showing through, and a couple of coats for solid colour.
View attachment 21497

Nice!
Make mine look drab

 

[Cole lynch]

Presuming this is a pine hive and the stain is for weather protection not just colour. I would remove masking tape and paint the edges too. Water will seep between the boxes.

 

[Swarm]

No to painted edges. Painted edges have a tendency to stick and the bees will seal them anyway with propolis,

 

[Patrick1]

I recently bought my first hive and a tin of Safe-Way Beehive Wood Stain. When I started to use the stain on the hive I found that the consistency of the stain was like coloured water. After three coats the wood is still clearly visible. Can anyone tell me if this is as it should be or is there something wrong with the stain. Thank you
View attachment 21481View attachment 21481

You have effectively coloured water, if it have more colour it would probably be bad for bees, several coats will protect, I have used B & Q fence paint before and it lasts for years.