BBKA Forum

Hello all,

What paint do people recommend for painting poly hives/nuc boxes? Sandtex?

Cheers

Grrr I hate painting hiveware but was forced into refurbishment of a polynuc.
It did actually look a lot better but you're then doubly cautious about handling it afterwards.
It really helps to get it weathered for a seaeson or two to get rid of the silicon mould release and the surface slightly opened up to get a key.
Really good clean with detergent ,dry then masonry paint at least two coats.
I once read about the use of oil based wood / metal paint as it welds itself to the surface but no one else seems to know any further.
Scary.
I had some thymolated syrup that had separated slightly in a poly feeder.
It too burned holes into the poly material .

Thank you

I used a solvent based paint - Hammerite Garage Door Paint. It dissolves a LITTLE of the surface and forms a very strong bond. Still intact after 6 years.

I've used masonry paint - a shade of green. Mini-nucs are various colours and patterns of emulsion - this doesn't seem to wear any less.

It does need re-doing from time to time, for example at the entrance of one box, the paint has worn down by the actions of thousands of tiny little feet revealing the paint colour underneath.

I use green garage floor paint..as it is intended for floors it is really hard wearing and after two coats four years ago all my equipment painted with the stuff still looks the same as when it was first done.

No point painting them, they just fill up with water anyway.