Hi there, I’ve just put together my first hive (hive 2 with thermo wood), wondering what primer and paint is best? Ideally I’d like it clear if possible as really like the look of the wood. I live in Farnham, UK if that helps. Thanks in advance!
Hello and welcome to the Flow forum! 
Good question. The normal recommendation is a good quality, water soluble outdoor house paint. In other words, something that doesn’t off-gas nasty chemicals for a prolonged period of time. The problem with most clear products is that they are “oil-based” with volatile solvents which can produce fumes for quite a long time. Bees do not like fumes - they are very odour-sensitive.
Hot wax dipping the hive would be the gold standard, but the wood doesn’t always maintain its color, it just lasts for decades. Some people have used a wood decking sealant with success, but I don’t know what to suggest in the UK. If was me, I might look into marine products. They are usually very weatherproof and last outside very well. As long as you only paint the outside surfaces, and you do it several (3-4) months before you put bees in the hive, you will probably be OK. I would have some cheaper backup equipment painted with house paint, just in case. If the bees look like they want to abscond, at least you have somewhere else to offer them! 
The other thing you could do is ask your local bee club, but most UK hive owners either paint with house paint, or use red cedar (which doesn’t need treating), or at least they did when I lived there
Maybe @Paras or one of our other Brit members of this forum will have some better ideas for you too.
Good luck, and have fun building the hive!
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Since you bought the Thermo wood, I think FlowHive recommend to paint the hive for long lasting. I would recommend to paint with outdoor paints and leave it to weather for 2 months before you put any bees inside the hive. I have painted some of my pine brood boxes and they look okay after 8yrs of using them.
awesome thanks all!!!
Howdy Mike, Welcome to the forum 
It’s important that you treat your hive by applying two coats of exterior house paint to extend longevity and guard against weathering. It’s the perfect canvas to get creative!
Do note we strongly recommend avoiding decking oil on this timber, as it can cause the wood to bleach after prolonged exposure to the elements.
Make sure to only paint the outside of the hive leaving all the internal timber natural. This is important for the health and happiness of your bees. If you choose to limit the bees’ access to your roof cavity, this area can benefit from painting inside and out for extra weatherproofing.
After painting, allow the hive to air in the sun for a few days to reduce the fumes before housing your bees. As Dawn mentioned a good place to start is your local paint store.
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