We use hot paraffin wax dipping. Heat the wax to 320 F dip for at least 10 minutes at this temperature All water will boil out of the woods and be replaced by the wax. When dry, after about 10 minutes, it will not be sticky or make marks on your clothes when working the boxes. Boxes will last at least 10 years before you need to do the same again. At this temperature, it will also sterilize the hive including AFB
I hear some guys paint AFTER wax dip. Seems counterintuitive to coat with wax if you want paint to stick. But I guess even a layer of paint that isn’t 100% perfectly adhered will still add years to the wood life.
After you deep the box in that hot wax for 10 mins. You can paint, with success in the very first 30 mins.....as longer the boxes are warm.If they get cold say good bye to paint.
I have a number of friends that dip their equipment in hot paraffin wax and get good service from it. It will turn dark with time and it's hard to paint but it will last a long time.
