Sorry I didnīt answer earlier Mark - here is my comment: I have the problem of not being able to provide names of suitable products in the USA, I only know the German & Scandinavian markets.Basically I would always recommend a solvent-based hive coating against a latex product because of the better penetration into softwood. Any paint man knows that the performance of a coating is fundamentally dependant upon the adhesion of the coating to the substrate.Whats the good of a perfect coating which has poor adhesion, especially wet adhesion? Here they use semi-transparent long-oil alkyd based coatings of low viscosity and lower solids content than common oil paints. The pigments are ultrafine, often synthetic iron oxides and penetrate with the binder into the pores and joints giving the wood a high degree of water resistance.The insides are not painted. I use 2 to 3 coats without sanding on planed wood.The dried coating has a very faint sheen.Water-based coatings raise the surface fibres giving rise to " wicks " unless you sand between coats. Latex paints give flexible films but some can also " block " or stick when they touch - a real pain on the interfaces of hive bodies.How long do you expect the coating to last? Isnīt it more important to avoid repainting woodwork because the coating has blistered or chipped? Problems like chalking are really irrelevant to hive painting, wet adhesion is more important.Repainting should also not involve stripping off failed coatings, the old film should still adhere well. I donīt like using solvent either, even aromatics-free mineral spirit but I think itīs worth it.Eventually I suspect that all solvent-based paints will disappear largely for reasons of convenience - a great pity. As I wrote earlier, I use Bondex a Scandinavian product ( I have no commercial interest ) in green, blue yellow and a light brown. People here donīt paint hives white, they stand out in the landscape and can get vandalised or stolen. Latex paints are used here on polystyrene hives where they probably work quite well ( apart from possible blocking ).Sorry if this doesnīt fit the current vogue for wood treatment but you wanted my comment. Regards Derek Steed :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::