Hi @Sullykat.
This method is not ideal but I use it on internal parts of hives where they are prone to damage from moisture generated by bees, i.e. inner side of cover, both sides of crown board. I still paint hives outside with light-coloured external paint but prefer to keep internals as natural as possible.
I use heat gun with wide nozzle to heat wood and to melt wax as well as 4 inch filler blade to spread it. the process is rather slow and tedious but gives wood at least some protection.
How I do it:
Heat gun set on max. Leather gloves on 
Heat small patch of wood (about two palms size) for 10-15 seconds. Put an edge of wax block on preheated patch. Keep heating wood directing air flow to wax block along the wood surface. Wax melts and creates a small pool. Put block aside, take filler blade, spread wax around heated patch while still heating it. If wax starts to bubble move heat gun away a bit. At this point wax penetrates wood quite well and I may need to add wax from the block. The idea is to achieve a state when there is small excess of wax on the surface. If I do not see any wax being pushed by the blade I add wax. When I am able to spread small amount of wax outside of heated patch - it is enough. It is easy to to see when border of heated area is reached. Wood does not absorb wax as well as heated part. Move to the next patch.
Once again this method is nowhere as good as dipping but better than just a bare wood. I still recommend to use paint outside. But for internals, if you do not want use chemical and want to have some protection, I think it is good enough.