Varnish?

[Candiebears]

What is the best type of varnish to use in your opinion? I have a full can of linseed oil in my basement and a bajillion wood stains from the previous home owner. I'm willing to go out an buy something if needed.

[don2]

I use a good quality exterior flat paint. 3 coats the first time. one or two coats every 2 to 3 years there after. I do plan to do some bottoms and tops with BLO this year. I like forest green or bull frog green. Blends in with the surroundings.

Haven't tried varnish. d2

[Sean Kelly]

I used to use copper naphthenate on the hive bodies and supers before painting them.  Works great and the wooden ware lasts forever.  The only reason I stopped was cause I ran out and keep forgetting to buy some each new season.


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[Candiebears]

I have an English warre hive... And brushy mountain did such a wonderful job I think using actual paint would just take away from the hive.

[hilltophermit]

My dad use to make a concoction out of bees wax and mineral oil and rub onto the hive. Labor incentive but made a nice looking finish and lasted long. He may or may not have had turpentine in it too, I don?t recall. I have always been told that one should use "spar" varnish outside.

[Candiebears]

That's what I read.. To use beeswax and linseed oil and it water proofs it. Just figured that would be less harsh then a minwax stain

[CapnChkn]

Boiled Linseed Oil contains "drying" agents in the form of metals.  I used to use it on my flutes and I wondered why I was constantly feeling "funny" after tuning them freshly oiled.  Later I discovered you can get food grade linseed oil.  If you go to the local health food store, you can probably buy a quart of it for around 10 dollars.  It works the same way as regular BLO, but takes longer to dry.

[Candiebears]

Boiled Linseed Oil contains "drying" agents in the form of metals.  I used to use it on my flutes and I wondered why I was constantly feeling "funny" after tuning them freshly oiled.  Later I discovered you can get food grade linseed oil.  If you go to the local health food store, you can probably buy a quart of it for around 10 dollars.  It works the same way as regular BLO, but takes longer to dry.

Thank you! If only I could use the 2 containers of Hazelnut oil I just bought.. lol. But I will definitely look into that!!