Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => EQUIPMENT USAGE, EXPERIMENTATION, HIVE PLANS, CONSTRUCTION TIPS AND TOOLS => Topic started by: franklie on July 13, 2019, 04:27:42 pm

Title: Using "dirty' wax foundations to wax new plastic foundations?
Post by: franklie on July 13, 2019, 04:27:42 pm

Hi there,

I've melted down and processed old wax foundations to use to wax our new plastic foundations. I melted it down in water, scraping the floating wax off the top, and poured it through cheese cloth. I've repeated this process a fair amount of times. It's still quite dark.

I can't find too much, if any, information on if it's a super no no to use this wax to wax our new plastic foundations.

Any suggestions, or does anyone have experience with using very dark wax on foundations?

Thanks in advance!

Title: Re: Using "dirty' wax foundations to wax new plastic foundations?
Post by: iddee on July 13, 2019, 06:35:06 pm

Use it. Melt it over water, not on direct heat, as in a double boiler. Use a paint brush to apply a liberal amount of wax over the entire wax foundation. Let cool well before installing into the frame.

Title: Re: Using "dirty' wax foundations to wax new plastic foundations?
Post by: Nico on July 13, 2019, 09:08:44 pm

Iddee is spot on, I find a three inch paint roller with a foam rubber roller more efficient than a brush.
Nico

Title: Re: Using "dirty' wax foundations to wax new plastic foundations?
Post by: cao on July 14, 2019, 12:09:24 am

Welcome  :happy:.

I assume that it is from your hives.  So you know the source.  In my opinion it is better/safer then the wax that is sprayed on the plastic foundation.

Title: Re: Using "dirty' wax foundations to wax new plastic foundations?
Post by: BeeMaster2 on July 15, 2019, 01:53:20 pm

Franklie,
Welcome to Beemaster.
As mentioned it is better to use your wax than bought wax for your hives. You say you are melting dark foundation. I assume you mean dark drawn comb. I melt down lots of brown and black wax.
Jim Altmiller

Title: Re: Using "dirty' wax foundations to wax new plastic foundations?
Post by: jalentour on July 16, 2019, 04:22:27 pm

I use a crock pot from the thrift store to melt wax of any color.  To put it on foundation I really don't worry too much about cleaning it.
The bees won't care.
Paint it on any way you want, it will work fine.