# Best Paint to weatherproof a Flow Hive 2+? **URL:** \ **Category:** Modifications & Building Bee Hives\ **Tags:** flow-hive-2\ **Created:** [February 5, 2022, 8:24pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/best-paint-to-weatherproof-a-flow-hive-2/32370 "2022-02-05T20:24:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Salem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@Salem](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Salem)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2022, 8:24pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/best-paint-to-weatherproof-a-flow-hive-2/32370/1 "2022-02-05T20:24:29Z")
Last year, on an observation hive, I used wood stain, and fiberglass resin to seal it. I found fiberglass resin too difficult to work with, and I’m not entirely certain it did the job. See my old hive (which ultimately failed for other reasons) below. ![Hive 1](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/honeyflow/original/3X/9/d/9d04e65dc6158ad4e52269214a3a64bf735a9f62.jpeg) This is my first year with a flow hive 2+. I want it to last a LONG time. I’ve done minimal research, and have chosen: Water-Based Acrylic Paint, intended for outdoor garage doors. Please see link below: > **[Giani Wood Look Paint for Garage Doors- Step 2 Wood Grain Finish Coat, Pint (Red...](https://www.amazon.com/Giani-Garage-Doors-Red-Oak/dp/B07F6DXTLM)** > > The 16 oz. Red Oak Grain Coat is the finish coat included in the Giani Red Oak Wood Look Paint Kit for Garage Doors. It is the second step in our two-step application process. Red Oak accents a broad spectrum of medium to... I have not purchased it yet. I like that it looks a bit like wood, but is actually paint. Will this do the job? Or should I purchase something else? How many coats should I apply? Also, do I need to initially apply an undercoat or a primer? Thank you for any assistance this community can provide. - Mike ---
**Author:** ![chau06](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/chau06/32/25515_2.png) [@chau06](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/chau06)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2022, 8:29pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/best-paint-to-weatherproof-a-flow-hive-2/32370/2 "2022-02-05T20:29:09Z")
What type of wood is your flow hive? ---
**Author:** ![Salem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@Salem](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Salem)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2022, 8:29pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/best-paint-to-weatherproof-a-flow-hive-2/32370/3 "2022-02-05T20:29:55Z")
I have a Flow Hive 2+. It should be premium western red cedar. ---
**Author:** ![chau06](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/chau06/32/25515_2.png) [@chau06](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/chau06)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2022, 9:07pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/best-paint-to-weatherproof-a-flow-hive-2/32370/4 "2022-02-05T21:07:48Z")
The color and grain of the cedar is nice too nice to paint over. A lot of people use tung oil, I hot wax dipped/fried mine. Some have used premium clear deck sealant. ---
**Author:** ![Salem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@Salem](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Salem)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2022, 10:00pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/best-paint-to-weatherproof-a-flow-hive-2/32370/5 "2022-02-05T22:00:02Z")
Would this stuff work? > **[BEHR PREMIUM 1 gal. Clear Transparent Waterproofing Exterior Wood Finish 50001...](https://www.homedepot.com/p/BEHR-PREMIUM-1-gal-Clear-Transparent-Waterproofing-Exterior-Wood-Finish-50001/301060429)** > > BEHR's best wood finish, this advanced 100% acrylic formula delivers complete protection from the elements for up to 4 years on decks and 6 years on fences and siding. The silicone-fortified formula delivers ---
**Author:** ![Dawn\_SD](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/dawn_sd/32/15954_2.png) [@Dawn\_SD](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Dawn_SD)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2022, 10:02pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/best-paint-to-weatherproof-a-flow-hive-2/32370/6 "2022-02-05T22:02:31Z")
It should be fine. As it is acrylic, water-based and low off-gassing it should be fine. However, I am still using Tung Oil on my WRC hives… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Salem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@Salem](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Salem)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2022, 5:37pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/best-paint-to-weatherproof-a-flow-hive-2/32370/7 "2022-02-06T17:37:50Z")
Thank you for your help everyone! ---
**Author:** ![Freebee2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/freebee2/32/18643_2.png) [@Freebee2](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Freebee2)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2022, 6:01am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/best-paint-to-weatherproof-a-flow-hive-2/32370/8 "2022-02-07T06:01:55Z")
Hi Salem, There are a couple of issues with both Tung Oil and Deck Varnish, the former can result in the timber becoming a bit grey and washed out looking over time, while the latter can create condensation, as it doesn’t have a great deal of breathability. Tung oil remains one of the most popular choices among our customers with Western Red Cedar Hives, it’s just good to be aware of the pros and cons 🙂 The roof should be painted with a couple of coats of decent outdoor paint regardless of what you use for the rest of your hive, as it will receive the most exposure to the weather. Look forward to your update on this 🙂