Hi Frank and BEE-L,
        I know that this subject will come up again in th future and hope
that this will bee a good refferance letter. Having been bit by the bee
in the late 50's I've tried a number of ways to preserve hive bodies.
Over the years I have worked as a painter to the point of holding a Dade
County license for 14 years. A little side bar here;"When GOD created the
heavens and the earth it only took him 7 days,mostly brcause he didn't
have to deal with Dade County Building and Zoning". At any rate after
experiencing about every coating available from on the job leftovers,the
basic three being;oil base,water base and 1 or 2 part epoxy's,I've
narrowed it down to what IMO are the two best.
        #1.Penatrol made by "The Flood Company"
                Their was an article that prompted me to start using it
app. 15 years ago in " Gleanings" or the "ABJ". It outperformed anything
tried to that point and beyond.
                Application is by brush,roll or spray. Dont worry about
getting it on the inside but do try to get at least three soaking,and it
will soak in alot and quite well,coats on.Don't be in a hurry to use the
boxes for 5 to 7 days. This is an oil based product,let them air out well
and you won't be disappointed. On a rotating three year basis give them
another coat.
        #2. Hot Parafin
                Usually purchased from candle mfg. companys.
                This way is not as time and therefore cost effective if
you are a hobby beekeeper. Now the question but no,I'll let any of you
out there in bee-l land determine in your own mind the dividing line
between a hobby and commercial beekeeper.
                Needs; 1. The bottem third of a barrel
                       2. A stand to put it on along with a propane
burner setup.
                       3. An outside area with plenty of circulation.
        I can't stress enough the highly flamable danger of this type of
coating.
        You heat the parafin up to the point that it starts to literally
starts to roll in the tank. Place the hive body in for 10 min.,pull it
out and on a rotating basis let them cool from the first dipping then dip
them a second time quickly for a coat on the outside. Due to the heat
from the first coat the first coat will soak in to look like not having
been done. This way is a bit messy in application and also in future use.
All in all a good way to go,a lot of people like to do it this way.
        There it is,the choice is your's. The other three coating
classifications that I mentioned have one major and serious drawback,they
only attach themselves for a short time to the surface of the wood.
        Whereas either the Penatrol or Parafin soak in and become a part
of the wood,a wise choice.
        Any questions feel free to write,hope this will help.
                                Take Care and GBY
                                John in Homestead