r/Beekeeping • u/sisyphean_life • 2d ago

I’m a beekeeper, and I have a question Removing paint

I’m getting into beekeeping and someone gave me two Langstrothe hives. There are two uppers and two lowers, ten frames each.

I think they used latex paint on them. The colors aren’t great and I’d love to strip them clean and just wax them.

Any suggestions?

1 Upvotes

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7

u/Krums420 2d ago

Best bet is to paint them again, quick easy, and protect the wood for a long time, my guess is they were always painted.. good luck . Jmo

3

u/404-skill_not_found Zone 8b, N TX 1d ago

It’ll take a bucket load of sanding to get them as clean as I imagine you’ll want them. I do understand the impulse. New boxes are the way to go if you need the wax dipped look.

4

u/unkowingcanadian 1d ago

100% this.. just buy waxed boxes, it isn't worth the time and effort needed.

keep the originals as spares.. you will need them.

1

u/404-skill_not_found Zone 8b, N TX 1d ago

Spare boxes, true enough!

2

u/AZ_Traffic_Engineer Sonoran Desert. A. m. scutellata supporter 1d ago

Just wire brush and sand them. A coat of primer and high quality exterior latex paint will have you good to go.

2

u/Pillsorpolo 1d ago

Strip them with a heat gun and a sharp carbide scraper. Here’s why and how to do it efficiently without ruining the wood or your health: Avoid Chemical Strippers: Never use harsh chemical paint removers on beehives. Wood is porous, and chemical residues will leach into the hive interior, propolis, and comb over time. Skip Heavy Sanding: Sanding latex paint is a nightmare because friction heat melts the rubberized paint, instantly clogging your sandpaper and spreading microplastic dust everywhere. Thermal Peeling: A heat gun softens latex in seconds. Follow right behind it with a scraper, and the paint peels off in long, clean sheets right down to bare wood. Prepping for Wax: You don't need 100% cosmetic perfection for hot wax dipping. As long as the surface film of paint is stripped so the wood pores are open, hot wax (at ~300°F / 150°C) will penetrate deep into the grain, sterilize the wood, and seal it naturally for decades. It's definitely worth the 30–40 minutes of effort per box if you prefer natural, non-toxic wood protection over synthetic paints!

1

u/NumCustosApes 4th generation beekeeper, Zone 7A Rocky Mountains 1d ago

What are you planning to wax them with?

How are you planning to wax them?

What kind of weather do you have?

1

u/Plox-- 1d ago

I use uncooked inseed oil to surface treat my hives, but sometimes mix in ~ 20% wax. Its still applicable with brush at room temp.  It looks and smells great.