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Author Topic: How do you paint your boxes??  (Read 14604 times)

Offline KD4MOJ

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How do you paint your boxes??
« on: July 26, 2010, 11:42:14 am »

Ok... simple subject but I'm curious how other folks paint their boxes without wasting alot of time. It seems when I'm painting (several boxes, top covers, supers, bottoms etc) i could probably do it more efficiently than I am presently. I paint each box with a brush, then wait to put the second (or 3rd) coat on etc.

Usually I have other projects going on at the same time (such as putting boxes together etc) while I'm waiting for paint to dry but there has got to be a better way of doing this besides the brush and the paint can.

  So is anyone using rollers, or a power sprayer or some other method?  Inquiring minds wanna know!

...DOUG
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Offline Kathyp

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Re: How do you paint your boxes??
« Reply #1 on: July 26, 2010, 12:16:52 pm »
i slap it on with a brush, but i do it quickly.  latex paint dries fast so a second coat can be done even if the 1st is to completely dry.  i have a sprayer, but i think it would be more of a pain to use it unless i were doing a huge number of boxes.
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Offline hardwood

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Re: How do you paint your boxes??
« Reply #2 on: July 26, 2010, 01:17:47 pm »
I usually do several hundred pieces at a time (I build hive bodies, nucs etc for other beekeepers as well as my own) so I spray them using an airless sprayer. These are the big sprayers that house painters use. I can apply a coat to 100 deep langs in about 5 mins or so. If I'm doing my own stuff I go back over the edges that the sprayer doesn't coat with a 3" roller.

Scott
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Offline KD4MOJ

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Re: How do you paint your boxes??
« Reply #3 on: July 26, 2010, 01:53:46 pm »
Quote from: hardwood on July 26, 2010, 01:17:47 pm
I I can apply a coat to 100 deep langs in about 5 mins or so.

 Now that's what I'm talking about!  :-D  I'm not doing that many boxes that it's a thought. I'll probably take the route that KathyP said, you don't have to wait the hour or so to dry as the paint cans say

  I might experiment with the roller just for grins... and see what kind of time that takes.

...DOUG
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Offline Hethen57

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Re: How do you paint your boxes??
« Reply #4 on: July 26, 2010, 01:58:57 pm »
I stack them up and then roll it on with a little roller and use a cheap brush for nooks and drips.  I just work my way around a stack of boxes, twice and I'm done.  I would love to use an airless, but I don't think cleanup and overspray issues would work for the quantities that I do, usually 3-5 and some other parts.
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Offline vermmy35

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Re: How do you paint your boxes??
« Reply #5 on: July 26, 2010, 02:23:57 pm »
I use a 6 inch paint brush since I only have the three hives to work with.
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Offline caticind

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Re: How do you paint your boxes??
« Reply #6 on: July 26, 2010, 04:20:18 pm »
I stain instead of painting - I find it preserves just as well and takes the wear and tear better.  I use a brush, but also have just a couple of hives.
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Offline VolunteerK9

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Re: How do you paint your boxes??
« Reply #7 on: July 26, 2010, 05:51:02 pm »
Great post. I hate painting with a passion. If I may add to the questions, what airless sprayer are you using?  Ive looked up the reviews on a few and got mixed opinions. And second, does wood stain really hold up as well as paint in the weather? If so, staining is a heckuva lot faster than paint.
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Offline hardwood

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Re: How do you paint your boxes??
« Reply #8 on: July 26, 2010, 06:18:37 pm »
I use my Graco sprayer. I'm not real sure of the model because the years of paint build up have totally obscured the label :) I have been toying around with the dipping method a bit though too...it might take longer initially, and the is a considerable expense to starting up, but from what I understand it's a one shot deal. Not having to paint occupied hives every so often is a huge benefit!

Scott
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"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag...We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language...And we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

Theodore Roosevelt 1907

Offline fermentedhiker

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Re: How do you paint your boxes??
« Reply #9 on: July 26, 2010, 07:23:36 pm »
I spray mine now with a wagner sprayer(not the best for sure) with a solid bodied oil based stain(the sprayer can't handle latex).  It seems to work fine.  I do about 10 at a time but it works better if I'm doing twenty.  Because by the time I'm done with the second stack of 10 the first stack is tacky and ready for the second coat.
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Offline irerob

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Re: How do you paint your boxes??
« Reply #10 on: July 26, 2010, 10:07:14 pm »
 Grand kids and 5 bucks  :evil: . or a 4 inch paint brush and 12 pack either way gets the job done. as my apiary expands I'm looking into getting a sprayer though
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Offline Ted n Ms

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Re: How do you paint your boxes??
« Reply #11 on: July 26, 2010, 10:28:53 pm »
Take two saw horses and lay a 2X6 or a landscape timber across them and thread the boxes through the timbers and just roll em over as you get each side done.
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Offline AllenF

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Re: How do you paint your boxes??
« Reply #12 on: July 26, 2010, 11:29:20 pm »
I just stack them and brush them or roll them.  I tend to just do one coat a day.  I can get it done and clean up after the 3 year old goes to bed and before my bed time.  Note to others: don't paint while the kid is around.   You can not keep him far enough away.  He always likes to help.   Today I caught him looking into hives I had open when I had my back turned.   He did not get stung luckily.   He told me that he can run faster than those bees.  He also later told me that the bees were his friends.  I guess I am going to have to get him stung again.
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Offline KD4MOJ

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Re: How do you paint your boxes??
« Reply #13 on: July 27, 2010, 09:12:57 am »
Quote from: Ted n Ms on July 26, 2010, 10:28:53 pm
Take two saw horses and lay a 2X6 or a landscape timber across them and thread the boxes through the timbers and just roll em over as you get each side done.

 Now that is a novel idea. Interesting to see what folks have come up with!


...DOUG
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Offline caticind

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Re: How do you paint your boxes??
« Reply #14 on: July 27, 2010, 04:42:14 pm »
Quote from: VolunteerK9 on July 26, 2010, 05:51:02 pm
And second, does wood stain really hold up as well as paint in the weather? If so, staining is a heckuva lot faster than paint.

So far so good.  Granted I live in NC and we don't really get harsh winter weather.  The bees have washboarded a little bit of it off on the landing, but it still looks better than the painted hives I've seen.  I used common exterior stain; the can suggests it is good for 3 years.  My guess is that the hive, being mostly vertical surfaces and not having water pool on it, will be proofed for at least that long.
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Offline slacker361

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Re: How do you paint your boxes??
« Reply #15 on: July 27, 2010, 05:28:50 pm »
i use linseed oil because I like the natural wood look
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Offline lisascenic

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Re: How do you paint your boxes??
« Reply #16 on: July 27, 2010, 10:48:17 pm »
I used a four inch foamy "hotdog" style roller, with an inch-wide filbert artist's brush for tight spots. I wanted a really smooth surface, but didn't want to bother with spraying.  I always consider the relative "suck factor" of cleaning the sprayer versus the time saved by using a sprayer. 

To anyone considering buying an airless sprayer:  please get proper training in both the use and cleaning of these tools. They are finicky and *dangerous!* Our sprayer sales-guy BLEW HIS FINGER OFF with an airless. They are wonderful tools, but you do need some orientation if you've never used one.

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Offline buzzbee

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Re: How do you paint your boxes??
« Reply #17 on: July 27, 2010, 10:58:58 pm »
I have used my son with a sprayer,pretty easy!!


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Or a more conventional method if the mood strikes:


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Offline KD4MOJ

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Re: How do you paint your boxes??
« Reply #18 on: July 28, 2010, 07:49:47 am »
Quote from: buzzbee on July 27, 2010, 10:58:58 pm
I have used my son with a sprayer,pretty easy!!

Hey Buzz... your son looks really talented with that sprayer... send him over to my house! Stack 'em up and spray 'em...

...DOUG
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Offline buzzbee

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Re: How do you paint your boxes??
« Reply #19 on: July 28, 2010, 07:33:30 pm »
Quote from: KD4MOJ on July 28, 2010, 07:49:47 am
Quote from: buzzbee on July 27, 2010, 10:58:58 pm
I have used my son with a sprayer,pretty easy!!

Hey Buzz... your son looks really talented with that sprayer... send him over to my house! Stack 'em up and spray 'em...

...DOUG
KD4MOJ


 Hey, it Could be a great winter snowbird project,LOL
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