Poly Hives - Do they NEED painting ?

jenkinsbrynmair said:

Paint

Click to expand...

OK I shall go ahead with the bitchumin paint then and hope the bees don't stick to it.

There is a thread on here on painting poly I've plumped for smooth masonry paint on my mating nucs (about the only thing I havein poly) Cuprinol shades has been mentioned (may be wrong there) or even emulsion paint

The uv can penetrate the box completely and will degrade inside and out. I have some swienty boxes that are perhaps 20 years old and they are very brittle.

After talking to swienty they advised me that it's because they were unpainted.

tidymeup said:

The uv can penetrate the box completely and will degrade inside and out. I have some swienty boxes that are perhaps 20 years old and they are very brittle.

After talking to swienty they advised me that it's because they were unpainted.

Click to expand...

As I'm going to be 64 in a couple of months the prospect of anything that will last 20 years without maintenance is rather appealing ... by the time I get to 84 I suspect that there will be more than my hives that is getting brittle !!!

Mind you ... still think I'm going to paint it - by the time I get to 84 they may have discovered how to keep me living till I'm 120 !! Eternal optimist that I am ....

They will be worth more when you sell them though if painted and in good condition.

I have just re-painted some of mine and they look nearly as good as new

Margaret Elisabeth said:

OK I shall go ahead with the bitchumin paint then and hope the bees don't stick to it.

Click to expand...

Strange as it seems they just may like it.

Margaret Elisabeth said:

but what with?

Click to expand...

I use Wilko fence paint, same as Cuprinol but cheaper.

Frisbee

Ordinary emulsion works fine.

After reading lots of threads on here i have painted mine with B&Q colours exterior gloss , Buckingham green they look great but needed two coats a much better bond and a lot harder wearing than fence paint or emulsion.e

My Paynes are sprayed with Plastikote forest green.
They need maybe three coats but dry in a flash and whole hive can be done in a couple of hours drying in the sunshine.
Left outside over night there is no residual smell.

pargyle said:

As I'm going to be 64 in a couple of months the prospect of anything that will last 20 years without maintenance is rather appealing

Click to expand...

Mmmmm
Every time I look on Facebook there is a message asking me if I'm 64 next birthday and do I want life insurance especially tailored for me.

My Paynes are sprayed with Plastikote forest green.
They need maybe three coats but dry in a flash and whole hive can be done in a couple of hours drying in the sunshine.
Left outside over night there is no residual smell.

That sounds like a plan ...

Mmmmm
Every time I look on Facebook there is a message asking me if I'm 64 next birthday and do I want life insurance especially tailored for me.


Yes... I get the feeling that I'm nearing the point where SAGA stop sending me junk mail ... I seem to be getting more than my fair share of 'Have you provided for your family in case anything happens to you ?' mail at present.

Having PROVIDED for my family for the last near 40 years ... and still doing most of their DIY, decorating and house maintenance ... the question which never seems to get answered is 'when do the family start providing for me ?'.

I'm not expecting a rush ....

Tom Bick said:

Strange as it seems they just may like it.

Click to expand...

I've just started painting my wooden hives with it, after testing for a season they don't bother with it, but wont leave you alone whilst painting them, but you must leave for a week to get rid of the smell.

When painting mine I mixed a little sand with the paint for the feeder to help the bees to grip the sides better. It seems to work well. I think it was a tip from someone on this forum last year.

I've also cut the feeder out to make eight frame hive
ATTACH]

I have painted all of mine....matchy matchy pastels. I have found that Weathercoat smooth masonry covers well with 2 coats. I get the testers...lots of colours to choose from.

yeogi75 said:

I've also cut the feeder out to make eight frame hive
View attachment 12188ATTACH]

Click to expand...

Blimey, that's neat inside....much better than mine. What did you finish it off with?

the poly taken out fits in great and some sealant to hold in and finish off

yeogi75 said:

I've also cut the feeder out to make eight frame hive
View attachment 12188ATTACH]

Click to expand...

They look like my 8 frame food box nucs. £6 each , or £8.50 with an entrance disc and mesh floor.
I'm such a cheapskate !

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