Construction isn’t Over
Till the Finish is Applied
Now for a Strong Finish
Since
bee
supply
outlets
sell
unfinished
pieces
of
production
wooden
ware,
the
beekeeper
becomes
responsible
for
one
of
the
most
important
construction
components.
The
finish
is
not
just
about
asthetics,
but
about
preserving
your
investment
for
many years of use.
Paint
is
paint,
right?
Ignore
the
marketing
hype
of
one
coat
finishes,
or
primer
and
paint
combined.
When
it
comes
to
creating
a
lasting
paint
finish
which
will
protect
the
wood
under
outdoor
conditions,
you
have
to
first
prepare
the
surface
for
accepting
finish,
apply
a
good
primer,
and
then
several
coats
of
an
exterior paint.
Can
I
use
a
natural
finish?
Yes
you
can,
but
that
adds
additional
requirements
to
the
list
of
steps
necessary
to
reach
the
desired
look
and
finish.
If
you
want
a
natural
or
stained
finish
to
your
hive
equipment,
the
construction
itself
needs
to
be
done
with
that
in
mind.
Where
paint
and
putty
can
cover
imperfections,
it
is
more difficult to do so with a natural finish.
Few
exterior
varnishes
are
durable
enough
for
the
drenching
rain
and
sun
exposure
a
hive
gets
in
normal
use.
We
will
only
use
a
marine
finish
system
on
natural
hives.
It
was
designed
to
protect
the
natural
wood
finishes
on
boats
from
the
elements
of
the
sun
and sea. It isn’t cheap, but it is well worth it.
Hive
finish
maintenance.
Once
bees
are
inhabiting
your
hive
equipment,
it
is
hard
to
do
any
type
of
maintenance
in
place.
They
beard
up
the
outside,
making
paint
or
finish
touchups
difficult.
The
only
practical
way
to
work
on
a
piece
is
to
temporarily
swap
out
the
components
you
need
to
repair
or
refinish.
Therefore,
the
better
the
initial
finish,
the
longer
you
will
be
able
to
use
your
hive
equipment
before any maintenance is necessary.
What do you want in your back yard?