"""What about using 90% Linseed oil and 10% beeswax. Heated till melted then painted on? Its that a better, but more time consuming way?"""
No Grandma_DOG! I am posting this thread here in responce to another thread started by Doby45 titled "Got my dipping pot!!". That post deals with dipping the wooden ware into melted wax.
I am not attempting to disagree with any other forms of preserving wooden ware here. I know that there are various ways to treat wood and some are cheaper and easier to do than others. I personally do not believe that wax has the benefit to penetrate deep into the cell walls of wood. As an example, fine (expensive) furniture sometimes gets treated with wax as the only preservative. It might take a coat of stain to bring out the grain of the wood but the exterior of the finished piece of furniture is actually raw. By raw I am referring to the fact that it has not been finished with a varnish or polyurethane as a final coat.
This furniture would benefit from the application of a furniture wax on a routine basis to preserve and keep the wood from drying.
If you notice there are three ingredients on my list Actually the formula was given to me by another seasoned beekeeper. They are "Boiled Linseed Oil", "Turpentine" and " "Penatrol". The linseed oil is actually what preserves the wood. The other two ingredients are only used as thinning and penetrating agents. This allows the linseed oil to PENETRATE DEEP INTO THE GRAIN. The only disadvantage to this method of treatment is that the brood/supper boxes will eventually darken with age. I believe that adding any wax to this formula would just defeat the purpose of allowing the linseed oil to penetrate into the grain. Besides, once you pour the warm wax into the linseed oil, the wax will begin to harden. I am not aware of anyone "boiling" boiled linseed oil. Can allways give it a try! :roll:
"""How long in between coats and it only on the outside, right?"""
G3Frams, I give the first coat and wait 24 hrs. before going into the second coat. Another 24 hrs. for the third and final coat.
I only do the outside of all my boxes and never the inside.
Also be aware that the boxes will have an oily feel to them but will not leave oils on your hand. The oil is actually in the wood.
Not to worry about the bees being affected by the oil/smell. They take to it w/o a problem.