Author Topic: top cover (Read 7079 times)

Marty68 · « **on:** January 22, 2015, 07:57:58 am »

is it necessary to have the top cover white or can it be a different color. if not, what colors can be used. also should the inside be painted or not. does it effect the moisture in hive if it is painted.

Perry · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2015, 07:59:27 am »

I paint mine inside and out. I wouldn't paint them a dark colour (in my opinion).

Marty68 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2015, 08:20:32 am »

thought about painting them pink violet yellow orange, the color of the face of the hives

riverbee · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2015, 11:27:59 am »

what perry said marty, i don't use paint, i use stain, and stain them inside and out. and also as he said, i wouldn't use a dark color.

Gypsi · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2015, 10:30:36 pm »

I bought dadant top covers, painted them yellow, sky blue, bright blue, and put the metal lids on to reflect the heat.. the first hive I bought came with a dark red lid. I don't use that one. Never brown black or dark green for sure. I do not paint the inside of mine., but the dadant lids are masonite and shiny

riverbee · « **Reply #5 on:** January 22, 2015, 10:48:17 pm »

gypsi, masonite?

i won't paint the inside of the outer covers, but i do use stain. am curious gypsi about the masonite for outer covers?

Jen · « **Reply #6 on:** January 23, 2015, 12:49:51 am »

I'de like to see ya convince GLOCK of that

He has black hives

Perry and Riv- curious why you paint and stain the inside of your hives?

Perry · « **Reply #7 on:** January 23, 2015, 06:41:46 am »

Quote from: Jen on January 23, 2015, 12:49:51 am

I'de like to see ya convince GLOCK of that He has black hives

Perry and Riv- curious why you paint and stain the inside of your hives?

Not the inside of the hives Jen, just the inside (underside) of the telescoping covers. If you do ever have condensation build up in the hive, that is where it will collect, and if the underside is not protected......................

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #8 on:** January 23, 2015, 08:52:20 am »

Hmmm... I have white ones, and gray ones, and cypress colored ones, and blue ones, theres a PINK one somewhere, and of course SOME of them still have metal on them so those would be shiny ones?

I think that flipping the inner cover over and storing the insulation in it probably keeps a lot of the heat at bay, no matter what color they are.

riverbee · « **Reply #9 on:** January 23, 2015, 11:53:27 am »

"Perry and Riv- curious why you paint and stain the inside of your hives?"

what perry said jen......

scott, great pix!

Jen · « **Reply #10 on:** January 23, 2015, 02:03:20 pm »

Oh! I see. And I do understand.. for this wet year that we are so joyously having. I didn't paint the underside of my tele covers and they are definately swollen with moisture. But the actual consensation is between the cover and the inner cover so I'm not seeing any drippage onto the bees so far.

riverbee · « **Reply #11 on:** January 23, 2015, 07:19:30 pm »

over time jen, if you don't paint/stain the underneath side of the outer cover to protect it, it will absorb moisture and deteriorate, at least for me it does. it may be different or take longer for you. i have a number of older outer covers that i did not paint, stain on the underneath side, and was sorry i didn't later on.

Curtchann · « **Reply #12 on:** January 23, 2015, 07:27:45 pm »

For paint, what type of paint would someone recommend? Or for that matter what to stay away from?

kebee · « **Reply #13 on:** January 23, 2015, 07:37:13 pm »

Well it looks like I will be painting the inside of my covers when I paint the hives this year for all of mine are just painted on the outside. Got all my tops from Bushes Mountain and they fit the way I want them to with enough room in front so the bees can come and go.

Ken

Bakersdozen · « **Reply #14 on:** January 23, 2015, 08:06:25 pm »

Quote from: Marty68 on January 22, 2015, 07:57:58 am

is it necessary to have the top cover white or can it be a different color. if not, what colors can be used. also should the inside be painted or not. does it effect the moisture in hive if it is painted.

I recently saw a picture of the late Father Adam of Buckfast Abbey. In the picture he is checking his hives in his queen yard. The hive tops and bottom boards are painted a bright red. The rest of the hive body is painted white. Very colorful. I like it. Thinking about doing the same.

Marty68 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 24, 2015, 08:22:53 am »

thanks for all the input. think i will paint mine

riverbee · « **Reply #16 on:** January 24, 2015, 12:04:16 pm »

"For paint, what type of paint would someone recommend? Or for that matter what to stay away from?"

exterior latex curtchann, make it easy on yourself

"Got all my tops from Bushes Mountain and they fit the way I want them to with enough room in front so the bees can come and go."

ken, how much room? what are the measurements? and thanks in advance! (thinking you meant brushy mountain?)

Curtchann · « **Reply #17 on:** January 24, 2015, 12:10:20 pm »

Yes river, latex is much easier to deal with. Neighbor lady came over one day covered in oil based paint looking for some paint thinner. I felt bad, I try and limit what chemicals I have to keep on hand around the house. I'm starting to use more homopathic repellents and things as my mom sells essential oils. Made up some stuff for spiders and I have not had any issues since spraying it. I really hope it whips the box elder bugs. I've got a problem every year on the south side of my house in the flower beds. This side sun almost all day and I want to plant more of a buffet for the bee's.

kebee · « **Reply #18 on:** January 24, 2015, 02:27:26 pm »

ken, how much room? what are the measurements? and thanks in advance! (thinking you meant brushy mountain?) yes I did

Now I have 8 frame boxes and my tops give me 1/2 inch longer and 1/2 inch wider than the box, the measurement are outside 15/3/4 by 22 1/8 and inside 14 1/4 by 20 1/2. For a 10 frame box you will have to call them for that measurement. Hope this helps.

Ken

riverbee · « **Reply #19 on:** January 24, 2015, 09:04:14 pm »

thank you ken!

Author Topic: top cover (Read 7079 times)

Gypsi