Hive Hot Wax dipping

[Hikerd]

While not the safest set up. We had fire extinguishers ready and plenty of open space.

[yockey5]

I have never done this, but would like to.

[hardwood]

I'll be dipping (wax & gum rosin) either this week or next. It's a great way to treat woodenware!

Scott

[ShaneJ]

I'm sorry for this possibly stupid question, but is this wax dipping is in place of painting the boxes?

[Hikerd]

Yes. the hot wax dip is an alternative to painting but you can put a coat of paint on if you do it before the wood cools.

I used a 50/50 mix of microcrystalline and paraffin. I think if you Google "Hot Wax dipping  hives" + "pdf" use should get a link to the following report:
RIRDC Publication No 01/051
RIRDC Project No. DAV-167A.
ISBN  0 642 58273 4
ISSN  1440-684
I'd put the link up myself but I got to it via a US site that is a business. Regardless, the report is well documented as well as a nice "HOW TO" with all the precautions of using 180°F wax.

The hot wax also seems to be a great method of sterilizing a used hive of AFB. It's expensive at first and this is trail for me. If I can go 10 to 20 years without painting then it is worth it. I'm using about $100 worth of wax in the picture and a dangerously short container. We will be dipping at least 50 suppers in 2012 [20 last year]and I don't think we will put a dent in the quantity of wax left over.

best, H

[Hikerd]

We think it just looks nice. We thought about using was dye to color the hives but didn't because the dye we ordered wasn't food grade. Anyway here are a few more pictures of the art and a fresh hot wax dip.







Cheers,
H

[ShaneJ]

Thanks mate. It is something I would like to try. I hate painting, so this might be the go.

[woodhinge]

If you don't mind, why do you HATE painting?

[Lburou]

...snip...The hot wax also seems to be a great method of sterilizing a used hive of AFB...snip...

Thanks for the picture!  Can you help me understand how this 180 degree process 'sterilizes' equipment infected with AFB?  Is that the Fahrenheit or Centigrade scale?   Most of those little buggers need boiling temperatures for minutes to surrender to the heat -I guess its another gap in my education  ;)    

To date, I have read of only one way to cure AFB and it was incineration, I'll see if I can read those reports you cited, thanks!  :)

[Michael Bush]

Cool.  That should work.