How To Paint A Beehive: What Sections To Paint And How 

From what I've read it's best to use bright colors but we have a second hive set up now that is just the white primer and we've seen no difference.

I would coat it with beeswax! I usually just leave everything natural with no paint. I like the hives from hooverhives (Everything is dipped inn beeswax); Not sure this is helpful to you a year later but just saw your comment!

nvm fixed it

No, you do not have to

I read that you can paint it all for protection. Needs to be well protected.

In paint my entire bottom board,works fine🤷🏽‍♂️

I see a lot of swarm catchers painted camo. I think that's just to be inconspicuous .

You just paint the outer edges.