Let me share this idea which solved two problems for me at once: using both
white primer and white paint, I couldn't tell at a glance which boxes had
which coat in my dimly-lit basement, nor could I keep track of the age of
boxes once they were in the apiary.  My solution--I now paint boxes the
queen color for the year I make them.  Last year's boxes are blue, this
year's are grey (see problem one), next year's will be yellow.  I know a
beekeeper who has painted his hives random bright colors, baby-block bright,
but his hives are behind his barn.  Mine are in outyards, so I've kept the
colors subdued;  still, I like the mix of colors in the apiary. If it helps
reduce drifting, all the better.
Adrian Barta
Madison, WI, US