A few postings have mentioned good ways to paint or preserve hives.  I've had
great luck with piling my boxes high and then using a painting device called
a "pad" - a 5" wide pad of fuzzy fabric with a handle, used, usually, for
 painting walls around door and window trim.  It's smooth, wide and applies a
nice, even thin coat of paint on the boxes.  I suppose a roller might also be
good and even wider but I don't like the spray and spatter rollers make and
their paint delivery is not as good as this pad.  I can do a 10 high stack of
hives, all sides in aboaut 10 minutes with this pad.  A great work saver and
a fine project for winter months.
 
Faith Andrews Bedford
Tampa and Ivy, VA