Heh.. And this is what I am arguing with myself about. Almost a perfect picture of the mental argument going on in my mind.
Forrestcav.. Was thinking of doing that, but worried about water on them, as my heaves only tilt forward slightly.
Kathy.. Joe.. Exactly, the ones that are painted are easier to keep clean, less staining etc..
Hiram.. this is how I have the ones that are not completely painted because (Like you) I worried about the bees chewing etc if the paint starts to flake.
Mr. Bush.. am reading your website top to bottom, and the no painting is alluring as I have no issue building new ones, but once built I would prefer they lasted more than two or three years. SE Iowa so probably not a lot different than southern Nebraska. A LOT of rain spring and fall with somewhat dry summers. How long do your bottom boards, boxes/Lids last with no paint? I apologize if you answered that in your web page but my head is still reeling from sucking in information for the last four hours....