Wax Dipping For Beekeeping Equipment

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Are you tired of painting equipment, only to be dissatisfied with the results? Foxhound Bee Company offers a solution for preserving wooden beekeeping supplies and other wooden pieces through wax dipping. This process, which has been around for years, provides long-lasting protection for wood, ensuring its durability. By immersing the wood in a hot vat of wax, the natural moisture is replaced with a waterproof wax blend that penetrates the wood, safeguarding it from rain, moisture, and rot.

Benefits of Wax Dipping

The lifespan of properly wax-dipped wood can extend for decades, with the commonly quoted figure of 25+ years without the need for re-dipping. Notably, our equipment, made from cypress wood, is naturally more durable than pine. Wax dipping offers numerous advantages, including:

1. Longevity: Wax-dipped wood can last for an extended period, ensuring lasting protection and reduced maintenance requirements.
2. Moisture Resistance: The wax blend used during the dipping process protects the wood from rain, moisture, and rot, making it ideal for outdoor use.
3. Preservation: By replacing the natural moisture in the wood with wax, the process effectively preserves the wood's integrity.
4. Enhanced Durability: Wax-dipped wood is more resistant to wear and tear, ensuring the longevity of your beekeeping equipment and other wooden items.

Wax Dipping Process

During the wax dipping process, the wood is submerged in a hot vat of wax. This duration allows for the removal of natural moisture from the wood, which is then replaced by the waterproof wax blend. It is important to note that while the wood becomes protected throughout, the surface remains dry and non-waxy.

Our Wax Blend

Preserving wood through wax dipping is an expensive endeavor that requires a specialized stainless steel tank filled with a blend of three waxes:

1. Microcrystalline Wax
2. Paraffin Wax
3. Beeswax

This combination of waxes ensures optimal wood protection, preventing the wax from melting in hot temperatures and avoiding surface tackiness.

Wax Dipping Services

At Foxhound Bee Company, we offer wax dipping services for beekeeping supplies and other wooden pieces. Our store, located in Birmingham, Alabama, serves as a drop-off point for beekeepers and others in need of wax dipping. Additionally, we can accommodate larger pieces or outdoor furniture up to 48" x 32" in our tank. For pricing and further information on dipping larger items, please contact us.

American Foul Brood (AFB) Spore Elimination

While our standard wax dipping temperature may not be sufficient to kill American Foul Brood (AFB) spores, we do offer the option to process your equipment at wax temperatures above 300°F, effectively eliminating AFB spores. However, it is crucial for us to be aware of this requirement to prevent contamination of other equipment. Please inform us in advance if you need AFB spore elimination.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I bring used equipment?

Yes, you can bring used equipment for wax dipping. However, please ensure that it is cleaned of any loose paint, wax moth debris, dirt, mold, cobwebs, loose wood, etc. A wire brush can be helpful for cleaning old boxes.

Can the equipment be already painted?

Yes, painted equipment is perfectly fine for wax dipping. Please note that the color of the paint may undergo slight changes during the process. After wax dipping, the equipment must be painted immediately while still hot, as the paint will not adhere to the wood surface once it cools.

Does the equipment have to be assembled?

No, your boxes do not need to be assembled before wax dipping. The tank can accommodate small pieces, and the wood does not change shape during the dipping process, ensuring that the joints will still fit together.

Which pieces of beekeeping equipment can't be wax-dipped?

Frames are not suitable for wax dipping as they are already protected inside the box and do not require additional waterproofing. However, screened bottom boards and metal-capped telescoping covers can be dipped, although a thin layer of wax may adhere to the metal.

This does not affect their functionality but may slightly alter their appearance. It is important to note that equipment made of plywood, masonite, and similar materials are not suitable candidates for hot wax dipping. The glue used in these materials can fail, leading to delamination of the wood after wax dipping.

Can pre-treated wood be dipped?

We do not accept pre-treated woods that have undergone pressure treatment or have been dipped in chemicals such as copper-naphthenate or similar wood treatments. These treatments contain harsh chemicals that are not beneficial for honeybees.

Do you offer club or bulk discounts?

We provide discounts for groups or side-liner/commercial beekeepers who have a minimum of 100 boxes or pieces of equipment. Please contact us for more details on bulk discounts.

What is the difference between our wax dipping and other processes?

Wax coating and wax dipping are two methods used to protect beekeeping equipment. Wax coating involves applying a thin layer of melted wax to the surface, offering surface-level protection. In contrast, wax dipping submerges the entire piece of equipment in hot wax, providing thorough penetration and long-lasting protection from the inside out.

Wax coating creates a water-resistant barrier that will eventually degrade and come off. At this point, the wood cannot be painted without completely removing any wax on the surface. Wax coating is most often used on the cheap beekeeping equipment found on Amazon. 

To start a return, visit our return portal here.

We have a 30-day return policy, which means you have 30 days after receiving your item to request a return.

To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unworn or unused, with tags, and in its original packaging. The order will also need to have been placed through our retail store or through www.foxhoundbeecompany.com

Damages and issues

Please inspect your order upon reception and contact us within 7 days if the item is defective or damaged or if you received the wrong item so that we can evaluate the issue and make it right. 

Exceptions / non-returnable items

Certain types of items cannot be returned, like perishable goods (such as food, flowers, or plants), custom products (such as special orders or personalized items), and personal care goods (such as beauty products). We also do not accept returns for hazardous materials, flammable liquids, or gases. Please get in touch if you have questions or concerns about your specific item.

Unfortunately, we cannot accept returns on sale items, clearance items, food, or gift cards.

Exchanges

For exchanges, we are happy to receive products back in new, unused condition, and we can exchange them. Products are inspected upon return prior to shipping out the exchanged item. Products received in new condition and exchanged for store credit or another item are not charged the 3% restocking fee. 

For returns, it is always helpful to leave a short note with the return for staff so they can easily follow up on where the return came from, the product you want to exchange it for, or the reason for the return.

Refunds

We will notify you once we’ve received and inspected your return and let you know if the refund was approved or not. If approved, you’ll be automatically refunded using your original payment method. Please remember that it can take some time for your bank or credit card company to process and post the refund, too.

When a return is issued, it is subject to a 3% restocking fee based on the credit card fees charged to us during the initial payment. We charge this fee and do not refund it when we issue customer refunds. This 3% restocking fee covers the credit card expense. The restocking fee is charged to all returns unless the return is due to an error by us. 

You can avoid the restocking fee by getting a refund in the form of store credit. 

Unauthorized returns or products returned used or in an unsellable condition can either be sent back at the customer's expense, accepted with a restocking fee up to 90% at our discretion, or disposed of. 

European Union 14-day cooling off period

Notwithstanding the above, if the merchandise is being shipped into the European Union, you have the right to cancel or return your order within 14 days, for any reason and without a justification. As above, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unworn or unused, with tags, and in its original packaging. You’ll also need the receipt or proof of purchase.