Weather proofing a ply hive

[ShaneR]

Hi everyone, I've been lurking a while and now have my first question

I've just finished putting together my exterior plywood hive and now need to stain / weather proof it, I've searched the forum and ended up more confused than ever, no one seems to agree or give a definitive method

I have considered boiled linseed & beeswax but am put of by the occasional mildew / mould comments, I would be very greatful to hear from plywood hive owners exactly how they treat their hives

 

[drstitson]

How about building an outer "jacket" in cedar?

 

[mexbigshow]

i have a top bar hive made of ply and i just gave it a couple of coats of brown fence paint that i use on the raised beds on the allotment and it hasn't bothered the bees and everything seems fine

 

[Skyhook]

Hi ShaneR, and welcome.

I've used wax and linseed on my cedar hive, but when I made ply ones I wanted to give it more of a definite coat so used Cuprinol garden shades. Seems to be doing OK 1 year on, ask me again next year!

 

[Hivemaker.]

Wickes Timbercare, shed and fence paint,water based,available in several different colours,and very low cost.

 

[drstitson]

do they do it in Homebase or B&Q???

 

[Hivemaker.]

do they do it in Homebase or B&Q???

No eye deer,i don't visit them shops,nor Harrods.

 

[ShaneR]

Thanks guys, Keep the suggestions coming.

Hivemaker, I have a bucket of the Ronseal fence life in the shed, would this do the job? just asking as all these types of treatments say for sawn wood only?

 

[SixFooter]

I also seal the exposed edges by brushing waterproof PVA on.

 

[beebreeder]

sadolin superdec, it comes in various colours that blend in to the countryside, it wears away and three to four years with it you just wipe clean and brush another coat on no flaking like the garden shades did, but it is expensive, but every 4-5 years so one outweighs the other and time is saved.
And PVA the cut edges if you are keen

 

[eddiespangle]

I agree, although I’ve applied a couple of coats of black gloss to the roof to act as an impermeable membrane. I’ve had no problems but I’ll be adding a coat of bituminous paint to the roofs this summer.

 

[eddiespangle]

Wickes Timbercare, shed and fence paint,water based,available in several different colours,and very low cost.

I agree, although I’ve applied a couple of coats of black gloss to the roof to act as an impermeable membrane. I’ve had no problems but I’ll be adding a coat of bituminous paint to the roofs this summer.

 

[ShaneR]

Thanks guy's.

Now has anyone used the linseed oil and beeswax mix on a ply hive, would be interested to hear peoples thoughts on this method, is there a real risk of mould using it? and would I still need to pva the cut edges if oiling the wood?

Also I assume whichever method is used you treat the wood THEN pva the cut edges?

 

[SixFooter]

Thanks guy's.

Now has anyone used the linseed oil and beeswax mix on a ply hive, would be interested to hear peoples thoughts on this method, is there a real risk of mould using it? and would I still need to pva the cut edges if oiling the wood?

Also I assume whichever method is used you treat the wood THEN pva the cut edges?

I've tried linseed oil with beeswax on some nucs, but they went very mouldy after the first winter. They look and smell great at first, but a mess a year later. The mould is easily cleaned off though.

 

[Nic Rhodes]

I also found linseed went moldy...

 

[Hombre]

As Dave Cushman points out, raw linseed oil is protein that feeds mildew.

I therefore use 50% raw linseed oil, 20% Cuprinol Clear and 30% white spirit.

Lash it on when it is mild and windy. The bees seem not to mind.

I did a pair as a pilot in the autumn, as I had produced a few 18mm 14x12 boxes during the season and then when I was happy no harm had come to them, I did the rest.

The Cuprinol reduces the instance of mildew, the linseed oil does the water proofing and the white spirit ensures that it goes on easily, dries fast and makes the other ingredients go further for less cash.

I also paint the end grain with PVA before commissioning the boxes.

 

[Brian Bush]

Go with the Sadolin. I find this is the best. It is a little more expensive but does a good job.

 

[ShaneR]

Thanks for all the suggestions, much appreciated, I will be going with a timber treatment rather than a oil / wax mix. Now I need to get the second hive together and sorted too.

 

[scuttlefish]

I also seal the exposed edges by brushing waterproof PVA on.

Neat PVA, or what ratio do you dilute it to?

 

[countryman]

the most important part on a ply is the edges get sadolin/cuprinol what ever just make sure it is water based and soak the edges