IF you want to dye and wax your traps at the same time, mix your trap dye acording to the directions. Then shave a pound or two (depending on the amount of water) of trap wax in the mixture. Bring it to a roiling boil and add a few traps.
Full Answer
Can I dye or Wax my traps?
It should take a lot more heat than boiling dye to alter the temper of the steel or springs of the trap. After the traps have been dyed, let them thoroughly dry before attempting to wax them. I like to let the traps hang by their attached chains until I'm sure all of the moisture is gone.
How do you wax traps to make them last longer?
Now you need to wax the traps. This does two things, it speeds up the trap, and it also helps to protect the trap from rust. Use a large pot to heat the wax until it almost smokes, make sure you use extreme caution, wax can burst into flames or explode if you put a wet trap into it.
How long does it take for traps to dye?
Allow the traps to sit in the boiling dye for about 20-30 minutes. The exact time is not a science, but you want to give them enough time to get good coloration from the dye. Some people have concerns the boiling dye will weaken the springs on the trap.
How do you dye and wax trap jaws?
1 Nail for each trap – to go between each trap jaws so dye and wax can penetrate. The very first thing a trapper must do prior to dying and waxing traps is to make any modifications or adjustments that are going to be done to the traps.
Should I dye and wax my traps?
Traps should be dyed and waxed to condition them before they are used. Before dyeing them, new and old foothold and bodygrip traps should be cleaned by boiling them in water.
How do you dye and wax new traps?
0:2512:34Trap Preparation | HOW TO Wax and Dye Traps - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou just mix this in a pot of hot water and get bring it to a boil. And when you simmer your trapsMoreYou just mix this in a pot of hot water and get bring it to a boil. And when you simmer your traps in there they'll take on a really dark color dark brown almost black.
Do you need to dye and wax Conibear traps?
They come from the factory coated in grease to keep them from rusting; however, in order to use the traps they will need to acquire a coat of rust.
How long does it take to dye traps?
Allow the traps to sit in the boiling dye for about 20-30 minutes. The exact time is not a science, but you want to give them enough time to get good coloration from the dye. Some people have concerns the boiling dye will weaken the springs on the trap.
Do you dye and wax snares?
1:0012:25How to Dip, Dye and Treat Your Snares - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd water put your snares in there and get some natural color on them you can boil your snares inMoreAnd water put your snares in there and get some natural color on them you can boil your snares in logwood dye or tree bark. You can soak your snares in a mixture of vinegar.
Can coyotes smell rusty traps?
You want to keep your trap scent free because even though it is in the ground and buried, coyotes, and other animals, can smell it through the dirt. This may result in your trap being dug up, which is not a good thing.
Can you reuse trap wax?
You can reuse your wax for future dippings. Just keep the pot covered to keep it clean and remelt.
How long should you boil traps?
Here they are: Boiling: When you get brand-new traps, they will have grease on them. They must be boiled to get rid of the grease. A lot of trappers will add degreaser to their water and then boil them for one hour.
Is waxing traps necessary?
do they need to be waxed? No, they don't have to be waxed or dyed. But it should'nt effect your catch unless the wax was contaminated with an odor.
How much wax do I put in a wax trap?
Method 3 of 4: Trap wax is odorless and melts on the surface of the dye solution. Drop in 1 pound (0.45 kg) of wax for every 6 gallons (23 L) of water in the pot. Stir the wax into the water until it melts completely.
Do you add water to wax for traps?
3:135:20Trap Preparation - How to Wax Traps - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd doing so what we do is we take the bottom pot fill it up in water then we take a metal spacer.MoreAnd doing so what we do is we take the bottom pot fill it up in water then we take a metal spacer. And put on the bottle.
How much wax do I need for a dozen traps?
Odorless wax to apply over dyed traps to help seal and protect. Dip traps into melted wax to get an even coating. Each bar is approximately 1 pound and coats about 2-3 dozen traps. Best method for waxing traps is to submerge them in melted wax, let the trap come up to same temperature as wax and pull trap out of wax.
What can I use to dye my traps?
There are any number of trap dyes you can use, from commercial applications such as logwood dye, powdered or liquid coloring agents. You can also use natural dying agents such as black walnut hulls or sumac seed heads. Butternut, locust, oak or maple bark can also be extracted in boiling water and used as a trap dye.
How to make a dog trap look wet?
They should have a nice, thin layer of wax, making them look "wet.". Scrape the wax from the dog and notch, or you may have a hard time setting the trap when in the field. Good luck, be safe and enjoy the process. Now that you have your traps waxed and dyed, you're ready to hit the trapline.
How to make a steel pot look wet?
You want the steel to get hot enough for the molten wax to create a solid bond. Using the pot hook, remove the traps from the wax and hold them over the pot for several seconds to allow excess wax to drip off. Then hang them back up to dry completely. They should have a nice, thin layer of wax, making them look "wet.".
What color is logwood trap dye?
Commercial logwood trap dye comes in black and red powder forms, is easy to use and is relatively inexpensive. I prefer black walnut hulls myself, if only because they are easily accessible, free and create a nice black dye giving my traps a "ready for action" appearance. They're also "old school" and I like that.
How to prevent steel traps from rusting?
Preparing brand new traps. New steel traps are coated with a thin layer of oil or grease to prevent them from rusting before their sold. This layer needs to come off. Author. You can do this by washing the new traps in hot, soapy water. Get a big tub, some dish soap and a scrub brush and go to it.
How long should I let a trap simmer?
Tie or wire a half-dozen traps together at their chain ends and lower them into the water completely, chain and all. Let them simmer for at least half an hour before removing. Once you remove them they should be uniformly colored. Hang them up to dry.
How long to let paraffin sit in wax?
Make sure the traps and chains are completely dry before lowering them into the hot wax. Let them sit in it for a long two or three minutes. You want the steel to get hot enough for the molten wax to create a solid bond.
How to wax a trap?
There are two methods of waxing traps. The first, which is my preferred method, is using a double burner and melting enough wax to completely cover your largest trap. The other is melting wax on top of the boiling water in the trap dye pot and pulling the trap thru the wax. I prefer to not wax body grip type traps.
How to make a dye trap?
Light the propane burner or hardwood fire and bring the water to a boil. The traps can be placed in the boiling pot as soon as the water is added. As the water heats up, you will see your dye darken the water. After you bring the mixture to a boil, I simmer for a ½ hour.
How to dye logwood?
Place your logwood trap dye or natural material (sumac berries or maple bark) in a burlap sack and tie closed. Place the sack of dye into the boiling pot. Most bags of logwood dye will tell you approximately how many traps it will do. In my 1/3 barrel, I usually place about 3 pounds of logwood dye or 5 pounds of other natural material.
How long to let wax sit in a propane cooker?
After the wax is completely melted, dip trap into the melted wax, completely submerging, and let remain for 2-3 minutes.
How to get rust off of pots?
The factory oil and dirt will rise to the top of the pot, so add water to overflow the factory oil and dirt. Place the traps in a shaded area on the ground outside for a few weeks, spraying with a light water mist occasionally to make the rust form quicker and more evenly.
How long does it take to remove dye traps?
After ½ hour, turn off your heat source and let the water cool down. Once the water is cool enough, you can remove your traps.
Do you need to remove rust from a trap?
All the methods of treating traps have one thing in common and that is that they require the trap to have a light coat of rust to properly absorb the dye. So, for those dying used traps, that already have a coat of rust, one only needs to remove excess dirt and rust with a wire brush.
How to make a trap out of dye and wax?
Wrap a 1–2 feet (0.30–0.61 m) piece of wire around the trap’s chain. Feed the end of a thick wire through one of the chain links and loop it 2-3 times around the chain. Make sure the wire is long enough so you can easily pull the trap out of the dye and wax later on.
How to melt trap wax?
Melt 5 pounds (2.3 kg) of trap wax in the second pot. Put your trap wax in the second pot and let it melt. Use at least 5 pounds (2.3 kg) of wax so you can submerge your traps completely. Stir the wax with a stir stick to break apart any chunks while it is melting.
How to make a logwood trap black?
Mix 1 pound (0.45 kg) of logwood dye into the water. Logwood is a natural dye that helps darken your traps so they turn black. Once the water’s simmering, pour in 1 pound (0.45 kg) of logwood dye and stir it with a spoon or stir stick. Wait until the dye is thoroughly mixed with the water before moving on.
How to get dye out of a wood trap?
Pry open the jaws on your trap so you can fit a thick piece of wood or branch between them. Make sure the jaws don’t snap closed and break the piece of wood. Opening the jaws allows the dye and wax to coat the inside of the trap. ...
How long does it take for a trap to get out of the wax?
Make sure the trap and chain get completely submerged under the surface of the solution. After about 10-15 seconds, slowly pull the trap out of the solution so it gets a coating from the layer of wax on the surface.
How to clean grease off of a trap?
Clean the grease off of a new trap with soapy water and a degreaser. Fill a bucket or large sink with water and mix in a few drops of dish soap. Dip the trap in the water and scrub them with a cleaning cloth. If the grease doesn’t come off in the water, use a commercial degreaser to clean it off.
Can you put wax in metal traps?
Wax also keeps the springs and metal from rusting so your traps last longer when they’re out in the elements. You can either dip the traps in a wax and water solution or in a double boiler filled with wax.
What is the dye used to dye traps?
Traditionally, traps were dyed with tannins from the bark and/or boughs of certain trees. They were then dipped in wax. The dye provided a thin layer of protection by binding with and coating the outer layer of trap steel, and the wax further protected them from rusting.
What is Dakotaline trap dye?
Dakotaline makes a trap dye that’s mixed with water, not fuel, and has met with mixed reviews. Predator Control Group makes “ Full Metal Jacket “, a clear coating designed for land traps. Cold dips have gained popularity due to their simplicity of use, but still have some criticisms.
Do gas traps repel foxes?
Many feel that the gasoline-smell from the dips can repel wary predators like foxes and coyotes from land sets. In fact, some trappers only dip their water traps and use traditional dye on their land traps.
Can you dip a trap in cold dip?
In recent decades, a new type of trap dye has emerged and is growing in popularity – cold dip. Several folks have formulated dyes that traps can be dipped in without boiling. They dyes coat traps well enough that waxing is not necessary. The result is a quick process that provides long term effective trap protection.
Is Aaron's trap dye still made?
Aaron’s Trap Dye was a popular, effective coating that’s no longer manufactured. “ KBL Quick Dye ” is produced by Kaatz Bros. Lures, provides a coating very similar to Aaron’s, and is capable of coating a brand new trap with factory grease, eliminating the need for grease removal (though it’s still recommended).
