🔵Waxing plastic frames and foundations quick and easy.

Plastic foundation needs a good coat of Beeswax. Here we show you how to do it fast and cheaply.
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#Beekeeping #Beekeeper #Honeybee

[@kamonreynolds]

Foam rollers! www.amazon.com/shop/tennessees-bees

[@maynard3legs]

I'm glad I'm not the only one using a freezer as a workbench.

[@disillusioned070]

I've got a 3/4" piece of plywood glued to the top of my freezer. The back side sits flush with the freezer's edge while the two sides and front have about a half inch overhang. It not only protects the top but adds some extra weight which helps prevent air leakage from the freezer. The overhangs are nice if I want to secure something with a clamp that I'm working with.

[@samwisegamgee8318]

Ahh, another man of culture I see

[@richardkuhn8115]

First video on KZbin that I have run into, showing the coating of plastic foundations. Thanks for sharing guys! Appreciate it!

[@richardkuhn8115]

@@OklahomaBeekeeper I only started keeping bees four years ago.

[@williamschulz6302]

Thanks great video👍🐝

[@dedomv11]

Excellent procedure!

[@royschrader8003]

Great Job! Now I know how I have several frames that wasn't being drawn out. I quit using them.

[@glennmartin8949]

Love y’all’s videos!! Thanks for

[@rogerbarnes7093]

Thanks for the video. It will be real helpful real soon as I have about 40 frames to get ready.

[@tonywestsbees6042]

I agree completely. A little freshly added "home grown" wax really makes the difference on new foundation. On left over unused foundation from the previous year, add a little fresh wax and its good to go otherwise the bees seem to ignore it.

[@kevingarner1558]

Thanks you two for more practical information and keeping it real!

[@johnbeard7404]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@LarryLeesBees]

I love the roller idea! I had a foam brush that I used. It worked well enough, but not nearly as quick or efficient as your roller. Thanks for another awesome video Kaymon!

[@rodneyshank716]

This is a huge time and wax saver! I wish I knew about this years ago. Thanks Kamon

[@trichard5106]

Thanks !!

[@nicksmithwestaustralianbee5139]

Your videos are always great to watch and very informative. The camera work is pretty good too 👍 Yes the person behind the camera deserves credit too. You guys make a great team

[@kamonreynolds]

Thanks 👍 Laurel my wife is pretty awesome!

[@williamditta3956]

Another great quality informative video. Thanks for giving credit where credit is always due, your wife. My wife of over 50 years is my super hero in everything I’ve ever done. Keep up the up close and personal videos and always remember to give credit to your wife Laurel, your only as good as you are good together. Thanks

[@kamonreynolds]

Thanks for the wise advice!

[@roystheboy]

What a great way to do this thanks for the video

[@12ArmyNavy12]

That was fantastic Kamon! You did a great job of covering a subject that I really didn't know how to address by myself. Now I know what and how to do it. It also helps me be more mindful of saving all of the wax that I possibly can. Again, thanks for doing a great job.

[@massachusettsprepper]

I have been using a small paintbrush and this looks like it's so much easier. Thanks for sharing.

[@kevinjackson1840]

great idea and use of yr bees wax. nice work laurel

[@waynewatson-cedarbranchhiv8491]

Awasome info guys !! Wow 300 per hr 😲 you go girl !!! Bout double what i do. 😳 Great tip !! It sure enough makes a huge difference !! I did a little experiment a few yrs ago, by doing this an when adding 2nd brood boxes checker boarding frames with extra waxed frames vs normal waxed ones , needless to say, in about a wk later inspection the bees had only drawn out the extra waxed ones. Sure enough convinced me. 👍 i extra wax everything now, including supers.

[@LenChadwick]

Thanks

[@437AlBig]

Thanks for the video tips. I've been using a brush and that way just went out the window and I'll be picking up a roller to use soon. This should really make coating them a lot easier. I've got a crock pot with an actual temperature adjustment that I"ll be using. Thanks for another great video. BTW, love "mind your own beeswax." I never thought of it that way.

[@AllOuttaSpoons]

Thank you so much for this detailed information

[@kamonreynolds]

You're welcome!

[@AllOuttaSpoons]

@@kamonreynoldsBecause of your thorough video you saved me over $60 just in wax. I had no idea how much I’d need for my 2 new hives. Thank you for such great content. New follower! Blessings ❤🐝

[@kamonreynolds]

@@AllOuttaSpoons thanks for the feedback. We feel if we can't truly help people then we have no business making videos! Happy Beekeeping!

[@AllOuttaSpoons]

@@kamonreynolds Amen! Happy Beekeeping to you as well! ❤️

[@charlesoneill466]

I have dipped them in the past. This is better..thank..

[@davidschwartz9636]

Hi Laurel and Kamon. Thanks for making this video, and sharing your knowledge and experience of using plastic foundation. Very interesting when you say, if you put it on when they are not ready for it, they will take the wax off, then ignore it. - One year I used plastic foundation sheets in wooden frames and had no problem. The second year I tried all plastic frames, could not get the bees to use them!

[@markkarstad2899]

Crock pots are a dime a dozen at thrift stores. Don't waste $ getting new ones. On average I find them ranging between 9-15 dollars. And that is Canadian funny money for those in the States.

[@researcherAmateur]

I started with plastic last year and l love it. Soo need to recote the old one s...Thanks, info on time

[@georgegarcia5052]

Wow thanks for the video

[@kamonreynolds]

Thanks for watching George the bees love good wax!

[@domcrotty5784]

This was an informative and helpful vid. Thank you!

[@ruthisaac2390]

Thank you for sharing this information. I'm a new beekeeper this is my second year waxing I used a brush last nite and used way too much wax on just 10 deep. I will defendity use this method from now on.

[@kamonreynolds]

Thanks for giving us feedback Ruth!

[@pgoessnitzer]

I learned a lot from your video! Thank you for sharing!

[@Bigbarry20]

Just coming out of my first winter with one hive of bees, the first year I've tried to keep 50% of the frames drawn out by the bees, as I make splits this year I will continue this practice of checkerboarding snap in frame between starter strip frames oh, maybe the bees draw out snap in frames quicker, also I read that checkerboarding undrawen on frames in the Brood chamber will help speed up drawn comb building. Signed ,,desperately needing drawn comb. 😁

[@natserog]

great tutorial Kamon.

[@planbeeapiaries]

I've used wax submerged in water below boiling temperature to keep the wax from burning and to prevent pheromones and other things in the wax from breaking down. You get a nice layer of wax floating on top of the water where you suspend your brush or roller.

[@beeman7883]

Great article.

[@jimhegarty9561]

Nice video. Thanks!!!

[@kamonreynolds]

You bet!

[@amathonn]

I'll have to try that. I already do something similar, but using just a section of a wooden broom handle instead of foam.

[@gileshoney5796]

We went to mostly plastic foundation a few years ago (exceptions being our comb honey frames and using up our old wax foundation). so far so good. You are 100% about adding frames before the bees are ready. We usually don't add anything until the bees have covered/used 80-90% of what they have. We find that when the bees don't have a lot of extra space then tend to not be as stressed out and tend to do better overall.

[@MsConrad]

Hello, I am new and your comment confused me a bit. You agree that removing frames (creating more free space) is a good thing but then the last sentence says that the when the bees are more confined ("don't have a lot of extra space") they are relaxed ("tend to not be as stressed") That seems contradictory. ??

[@RodHermann]

Good one Mr. Kamon

[@sandhills2344]

Thanks! 🐝

[@jpthedelawarebeeman6239]

I tried brushing it on last spring but found it used a lot of wax that way. Currently I just rub it on and have had good luck doing it that way. When I get some wax I can use I'll melt it and try the roller method on some older foundation I plan on steam cleaning off this spring and see if the will build on it.

[@frankspataro9714]

I use the furry looking roller seems like it puts a heavier coat on the already coated rite cell they draw it out so much better and like you said the wax is basically free

[@Dstick1Spearfishing]

Hey Kamon, This is how I coat my frames, though I use an old electric Fry pan lol. Were these frames getting a second coat? That is what it looked like. Also I use a bit of old wax block to rub over the frames where the girls have stripped wax off, I soften it first in the old microwave or put it in a tin in the sun for a bit and fill in the blanks like waxing a surf board. Very quick also! That basement freezer looks like it has seen as much action as mine :)

[@lindajohnson2950]

Thanks so much!! I followed your instructions and have a hive body full and ready to put on as a second brood chamber. I checked this morning and found it is too early, due to some uncoated foundations in the box. I replaced 4 frames that the bees hadn't messed with. I was wondering how to store the waxed frames until the bees are ready for them.

[@donbearden1953]

👍👍👍 This is exactly how I do it except I can’t get that many from a pound of wax and I don’t do 2 or 3. hundred at a time maybe 20 at the most, definitely not in the same league as you!

[@billybobjones4317]

I use a small backing board to role out the excess, habit from being a Painter for over 40 years ;) and I am never in a rush these days, so don't care about my hourly out put any more ;)

[@naturalwitchery]

Just the video I needed! Thanks ❤

[@troysilver6853]

I can honestly say that lightly rubbing a wax block on plastic foundation. Leaving the little shavings attached to the inside of the cell. Bees pull left over wax straight out and use it for the first couple milliliters of comb construction.

[@angelasbeestuff]

If using wax older frames that have been sitting out for a while and have gathered dust, do you wash them out before re-waxing? Or do you just put the new coat right over?

[@FloryJohann]

It is weird to see your plastic foundation video. This year is the first year that I am preparing to use plastic foundation and today I melted that little wax that I had and I used a paint brush to put it on. I still need more wax. Thank you a lot.

[@TheUCFM]

Kamon I have a couple questions Do you put water in crockpot with the wax or is it only wax? Do you recommend a particular plastic foundation brand? Last question. I have purchased in the past extra wax coated foundation, do you believe it's worth the extra cost or just wax it ourselves. Thanks again for the expert knowledge and mentoring others.

[@sandiriggert5345]

Thanks for the video. I learned alot. I wish I would of seen this last week before I used a brush for application. I probably got to much on. Will the bees use it and pick it out of the cells if there's too much?

[@kamonreynolds]

They may pick it out and reuse it possibly. Not 100% sure. Thanks for watching!

[@joecalvert8146]

Another great video. I have some frames left from last year that weren't used. Should I recoat them?

[@kamonreynolds]

I do. Anything that is a year old gets recoated

[@mikeries8549]

This is how I do it too.

[@billybobjones4317]

What filter system do you use for your Wax ? I can't seem to get mine that clean ?

[@alexayounginsong2641]

You are showing the cleaned black plastic foundation. How did you clean it? Thanks in advance!

[@melpratesmetodorecuo7924]

Tmj e inscrito

[@melpratesmetodorecuo7924]

Show, Tmj 👏🤝

[@shanesquire1]

Hi . with wax foundation the bees eat the bottom out , and do the bees do the same with plastic foundation . when it gets old .

[@shawn8163]

Just checked small nuc nothing left but the queen bee any reason to try to save her? Came from a graft split from a great hive but didn't really get mated good I don't think

[@turki-ok1jk]

Oh no i wish knew that before i put the plastic foundation wothout waxing and i was worried why they did put comb unorganized and what to do should i take out the wax even tho there are some eggs and some nectar in the wax

[@travisprawitz3260]

Way easier than using the dang brush

[@Bee_Cathy]

Do you buy unwaxed or single waxed foundation and then apply more wax yourself. TY

[@masblackwell8205]

Aloha Kamon, if you turn the foundation on to second stack,you will reduce motion by a third and maybe you’ll be able to get 300 done like your wife. What’s your Hawai’i connection? Mahalo,mas

[@laurelreynolds5890]

Ha! You discovered my secret of why I can do more per hour than he can! 😉

[@kamonreynolds]

Heintzleman apiaries on the big island. You are 100% correct this is what Laurel does and why she gripes at me because my form is bad! However, if she would do the talking and let me do the filming we wouldn't be having this conversation :cough: laurel is :cough: a chicken. :Cough:

[@paulawaldrep3760]

@@kamonreynolds Hum Hum I think you might be getting into trouble again! Hum. Stop picking on her! You wouldn't want her to go from SWEET TO SOUR would you??? Hummmm!

[@masblackwell8205]

You may not want to admit the point, but she does a great job of filming you! We all have our strong suits. I know what it can be like to be 25 hours x 8days a week with someone. Thank You for BI connection.

[@kamonreynolds]

There is no doubt in my mind that Laurel is a better videographer than I and that if she chose to, would be better on camera as well. We are just messing with one another though. She knows I don't mean a thing and she knows how much I have asked her to do some of the videos. She just doesn't want to even though she would do great.

[@alexayounginsong2641]

The foam and warm enough liquid wax... Does foam get malformed when it get soaked in liquid wax?

[@paulahello7435]

And you can do your eyebrows as well!

[@glennsnaturalhoney4571]

Problem I have is that after a few sheets the roller cover will not stay on the handle. I've tried several different brands with same results. Any thoughts?

[@burleybeeyard]

Where would you recommend buying wax for those of us that don’t have enough yet?

[@JurgenUffink]

Local beekeeper so you know it’s clean wax without residue.

[@beasbeesrva2615]

Harbo Bee Co. sells solar melted beeswax from their treatment free hives through their website. Good price if you buy more than 3# at a time.

[@williamthomas938]

Kamon, what kind of frames holds those plastic foundations ?I’ve only bought frames with the foundation in them already. Thanks

[@kamonreynolds]

Grooved top and bottom frames. The frames I use are Mann lakes.

[@robertmathurin3716]

Will those wax coated frames attract a Swarm????🇱🇨👊👍🖤

[@kamonreynolds]

It does help Robert. I use them in my swarm traps with 1 comb

[@mikeries8549]

I coat the insides of swarm trap hives with a concoction made of everclear alcohol and propolis. Put propolis in quart jar with some ever clear or "gem" alcohol. Shake it every so often and the propolis dissolves. Paint it on. It helps attract swarms and prevents them from propolis-ing up the sides some.

[@Mz.Stephanie]

I tried using the foam roller and it wouldn't stay melted so it was a bit messy. Ill try the smaller crock pot.

[@mishagray2835]

Dude you don't need all the weight on the deep freeze, will kill your seal. Just saying, otherwise, I love this, I am going to try it. I am from Tennessee as well, what is your location? Fayetteville, TN here.

[@louel9272]

If i need beeswax quickly for frames is it fine to melt beeswax candles? Cuz i have some lying around

[@kamonreynolds]

As long as they are pure beeswax they should work perfectly

[@beasbeesrva2615]

I must be putting the wax on too thick. I can barely get two boxes of deeps from 1# of wax. Using a 3/8" napped roller cause Lowe's does not have the foam rollers anymore. I bought my crockpot at an auction for $2.50. No need to spend a lot of money.

[@clifftonwhitaker8]

Aren’t you Laurel’s honey bee? Oh well I guess she would be your honey bee, cause you work too hard to be a drone.

[@OklahomaBeekeeper]

Do you like one brand of plastic sheets over others?

[@matthewkobe]

@kamon, do you add water to the beeswax or just pure beeswax?

[@j.johnson2792]

Can I mix beeswax with lemongrass oil and do this? Trying to make a lure to my hive. How many frames should I do?

[@kamonreynolds]

Whenever I hang up a swarm trap I do about 10 drops of lemon grass oil on a paper towel every 2 weeks. However, putting the oil into the hot beeswax may cause some of the oil to off gas quickly due to the heat. It likely is something you will have to experiment with.

[@edwarddavis507]

Hi Kamon, I hope you are doing well. I put a new hive body on with older plasticell foundation that originally came wax coated. I have been feeding the bees syrup and there is nectar flow. But the bees are not drawing out comb on the old foundation and it’s been a couple months since I added the hive body. Also, the frames are from a hive that died a few winters back. I scraped the old comb off the foundation because it was full of dead bees and that was the easiest way to remove them. The foundation feels like it still has wax on it. I don’t know what to do. Is it possible the bees won’t use it because they smell the sent of previous bees? Should I try putting a new coat of wax over the old wax?

[@edwarddavis507]

I put new wax coated plasticell foundations from Dadant in their place. I will give them a week and see how it’s working. Thank you so much for all you do. Your experiences that you post have taught me and helped me greatly.

[@FloryJohann]

Depending where you are, but it may be to late into the season for bees to draw foundation out. If you did put a whole super on it, then you may have a problem for bees to move up into the new super which can be fixed by moving one or two brood frames with brood and nurse bees up into the super and the bees will go up with it to take care of the brood. But it still may be to late for bees to work the wax.

[@edwarddavis507]

Changing out the old foundation with new didn’t work. I did notice a little comb (a very little) being drawn out on the older foundation so it seems that wasn’t the problem. It has to be that it was too late.

[@FloryJohann]

@@edwarddavis507 What was the ratio of your sugar water? I usually use 1 : 1 by volume, meaning in my case 1/2 a quart of sugar first then I fill the quart jar up with water. Also if bees get overrun with mites or hive beetles that may slow them down. You mentioned that you have nectar flow, but do you have pollen coming into hive also.I started to use some plastic foundation this year, but about the bees did not like them to well. 10% of the plastic foundation turned into burr comb. So I started to use some wired wax foundation again with 100% perfect building up. Currently I am treating for mites, a bit late but better than never treating them.

[@mckeeshoneybees8351]

Are the pre waxed foundations not enough wax?

[@mckeeshoneybees8351]

Also, what do you think about drone populations? I hear a lot of talk about dca areas aren’t what they used to be. Is it because we keep giving our bees foundations with all workers size cells? I see when I give them an open frame to draw out , they will do a band of drone size cells towards the bottom. I know they will still draw drone size cells on these foundations but is it the amount they would normally make in their own comb?

[@kamonreynolds]

Most find the single coated too thin. Double waxed or heavy wax often works very well without further coating unless it is old and dried out

[@mckeeshoneybees8351]

I know that’s a lot to answer. Maybe you can do a video on that topic.

[@brucesbees]

I ordered a bunch of the triple wax plastic frames from Pierco last year. They work great!

[@kamonreynolds]

Yes the heavy waxed foundations are awesome out of the box

[@ginomorris4873]

I have plastic foundation kamon and have nothing to put on them any alternative suggestions??im a few days away from having bees and limited funds

[@jljjoubert3611]

Goodday sir. Something beside this point. I want to make my own wax foundations and for this I have to use a silicon mold. Can you perhaps refer me to someone who can help me obtaining these moulds, or at least show me how to make it myself. If so you can't help me. Cobus🐬

[@justinmitchell1704]

Can you just rub the dry was on it?

[@kamonreynolds]

I doesn't work that well for me but it can work

[@carldaniels4827]

kamon, what is your opinion on rolling clean vs. yellow/brownish wax?, my thought is that has more of brood scent plus it works well as an attractant in swarm boxes.

[@kamonreynolds]

I have used both and found they both work. I have never done a side by side test but it makes sense that wax from brood combs would surely work better as a lure!

[@wadebarnes6720]

Which is the best plastic foundation

[@kamonreynolds]

Acorn and premier stand out above the rest but you can make pierco and ritecell work too

[@wadebarnes6720]

@@kamonreynolds I supposed to get warm weather for 3 Days in the 70s then it's supposed to go back down you think it'll be okay to do a last minute check on the hive to make sure they got everything they need or just leave it be to spring

[@kamonreynolds]

Totally man. I certainly am.

[@wadebarnes6720]

@@kamonreynolds thank you for your time bubba I'm glad things are going good for you been watching you for a while way different from what you used to be which is a good thing more open hope you and your family do well

[@tangsu7128]

How u cleaning that wax after time?

[@richardkuhn8115]

Kamon, HOW come your KZbin "Beekeeping Talk and Q/A " is NO LONGER AVAILABLE? ""Video unavailable This video is private."" I was keeping that for reference for a couple of items! WHY did You pull it?

[@brianbennett4374]

Can u with a brush put to much on 😮

[@joshmcvey4157]

My wife don’t believe you

[@tonymckenzie9090]

How come your wife is never in any of your videos

[@kamonreynolds]

Because she says she doesn't want to be.

[@katclark08]

Saw this after I tried the paint brush method. 🥱

[@finiscary9689]

Thanks!!!

[@kamonreynolds]

You bet!

[@seaturbo]

Thanks