I start by cutting three, 1/4” panels out of some scrap.

Two of the panels are 9-3/8” high by 19” wide. The third panel is 11-1/4” high by 19" wide.

I cut the entrance openings large enough to accommodate the upper entrance plugs and the landing board.

I drill 1/8” holes 3/4” from each edge at all four corners of all the panels.

I place the panels in-place and drill pilot holes at each of my panel holes.

I then enlarge the holes in the panels to 1/4”.

Using #8 x 5/8” pan head screws I secure the panels and check the fit.

Note that my fronts may get a little splash and humidity but they are not directly in the rain. For this reason I am using Zinc screws. I can always replace them with stainless steel screws if I need to.

I give all sides of the panels 3 coats of an exterior water-based paint.

On the outside of the panels, they get a couple coats of white acrylic paint. This is the side that I will attach my cutout images.

I start by placing the pictures that I cut out on the board where they will go.

Once I know where they will be placed, I follow the instructions on the Mod Podge.

Place the background images first then the foreground. Note that where one image overlaps another, you need to carefully trim the edges.

After the initial application of the images are dry, the get three full coats of the Mod Podge. I allow the coat to dry two hours before doing the next.

Lower Panel Complete.

Middle Panel Complete.

Upper Panel Complete

Ready to install.

Because these are an experiment and I want to remove them in order to utilize the back or to replace them, I will add a sheet of wax paper between the panel and the front of the hive. This will keep the two painted surfaces from sticking together (hopefully).

I place a panel on a sheet of the wax paper and trace it with a pencil.

Once the panel has been traced, I cut out the wax paper.

I attach the wax paper to the back using some blue painter’s tape. I only attach it on the sides as shown here.

I add the screws but don’t tighten them down. This allows me to remove the tape.

Upper Panel Installed.

Middle Panel Installed.

All Panels Installed.