Whoa!
I'm no expert on this, and perhaps one of our NZ contributors will provide some
references (I know it's been written up several times) but I think there's some
misunderstanding here.
 
The common practice in NZ involves immersion of boxes (not frames) in liquid
paraffin wax, not lye.
 
I've heard of the boiling lye water treatment for frames, as an old and
unsuitable technique. Apparently the treatment weakened the wood too much.
Would you really consider rewiring or re-nailing an efficient use of time?
 
A beekeeper in southern B.C. used steam to remove wax from old frames, initially
for a big lot of his own equipment, then he offered it as a service for a while,
but has gone out of that business. I saw some frames that had been treated and
they looked OK, but I hadn't seen them "before".
 
I glad to see you'll get it straight before you commit to a lot of work.
 
Kerry Clark, Apiculture Specialist
B.C. Ministry of Agriculture
1201 103 Ave
Dawson Creek B.C.
        V1G 4J2  CANADA
Tel (604) 784-2225      fax (604) 784-2299
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