Author Topic: Observation hive - what type of finish (Read 3194 times)

FredBorn · « **on:** October 12, 2005, 05:43:24 pm »

I made a small one frame obseravtion hive to take to bee talks.

I plan to put a frame in the observation hive just before I go to the meeting/talk and put it back in the hive immediatelty after.

I made it out of plain pine.

What could I finish it with? Varnish, shellack, ???

Thanks

fred - citrus county florida

Apis629 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 12, 2005, 05:58:59 pm »

You could probably finish the ouside with just about anything you want(varnish, stain, wax coat, etc.) just don't finish the inside. I had a permenant observation hive just last year. I didn't apply any kind of finish given it was an indoor hive but, if you let it dry and air out for a while the bees would probably be fine with any kind of finish on the OUTSIDE of the observational hive.

stilllearning · « **Reply #2 on:** October 12, 2005, 08:33:29 pm »

shellack would be a bad choice, it is affected by water, I am sure
you have seen fine furniture with a white ring where someone set
a wet glass. That happens on a shellack finish
varnish outside nothing inside would be my choice.

Michael Bush · « **Reply #3 on:** October 13, 2005, 10:12:29 am »

I'd only finish the outside. I'd use polyurethane or nothing or boiled linseed oil. :)

leominsterbeeman · « **Reply #4 on:** October 13, 2005, 03:23:47 pm »

Mine is coated with polyurethane, outside only.

Dale · « **Reply #5 on:** October 13, 2005, 08:28:29 pm »

Only do the outside. But then be creative, but practical as well. I stained mine, and put 2 coats of polyurethane on it.

Ross · « **Reply #6 on:** October 14, 2005, 10:48:22 pm »

I use analine dye stain (water based) and shellac. Dried shellac is considered food grade. It is used to coat capsules, so it can be used inside if you wanted. I don't.