Trap Waxing and Dying Instructions

The following instruction is to dye and wax the traditional way. Many trappers use speed dip and it works very well. One does not have to wax traps when using speed dip as it both waxes and dyes your traps. The speed dip is mixed with gasoline and traps are dipped into mixture. Both traditional dyes and waxes and speed dip can be found on main site.

Dying and Waxing Traps and Equipment

Dying traps allows you to more easily conceal your traps at sets and helps stop rusting. Waxing and dying your trap for dirt sets stops rusting and leaves traps odorless.

Dying and Waxing New Traps

All new traps must have the factory oil and grease removed and then rusted before they can be dyed. To remove the grease and oil boil the new traps in water. Make sure to insert a nail between the jaw of each trap as this will allow oil and grease to be removed and dye/wax to get to the inside of the jaws.  I use the bottom 1/3 of a 55 gallon drum to boil the traps in. Boil for 20 minutes, then when the oil and grease come to the surface add water to over flow the grease and oil. If you pull traps through the top of the oil and grease they will still have oil on them. Set traps in a shaded area for several weeks so they can get a coat of rust on them. Spray them every couple days so they are moist this will help rust to form on the traps.

After the traps have a good coat of rust boil in logwood dye. I use about 4 lbs logwood dye or 1 bottle of Petes Liquid Dye in a 1/3 55 gallon drum. Let sit in dye solution until it cools off. Hang traps to Dry.

After your traps are dyed they are ready to be waxed.  Melt wax in a container just large enough to submerge the largest trap you are going to wax. I use prepared trap wax. Dip traps one at a time for 30 seconds in wax. Lift trap out and let any excess wax fall back into the container. Hang traps to dry and air for a day outdoors. Store in boxes covered with evergreen branches if available.  Note when you are ready to use waxed traps you have to use a knife and remove any wax on the dog and trigger. If you do not, they will go off to easily when set.

Dying and Waxing Used Traps

Used traps must be clean of dirt and excess rust from prior season. Use a wire brush to scrape excess rust and dirt. Boil  for 1/2 hour. Then dye and wax same as preceding instruction for new traps.