Question for the guys that use full metal jacket trap dip. I've been using it as of lately and after a few days in the ground, even without a catch my traps are still rusting through. I did a total of 3 coats over the period of 3 or so days, that's after degreasing and drying only. Would it be better to rust the traps then dip or does it matter? Thanks

I don’t have much experience with it, but I’d say a lite rust then a good dye job, then treat them.

Don't pre rust them then dip you are just trapping the rust under the full metal jacket. Dye them before dipping them or what I found works best is painting them then giving them a dip. Unlike traditional waxing witch is hot so it rids the trap of any moisture, fmj is a cold dip so there is moisture trapped witch will result with rusting under the fmj. So best to protect the trap with dye or paint then protect the dye and paint with the fmj. This is just what works best for me best of luck.

I spray paint mine and then dip them as well.

Mine are doing the same thing. I did not prerust, cleaned and dipped brand new. I am not impressed with FMJ.

I appreciate the info. I'm starting to think it may not be as bullet proof as once thought. But wanted to make sure I wasn't doing something wrong.

Maybe try Dakota Line's dip.
Or maybe just wax and don't worry about dip.

When I was getting ready a year ago, I boiled off the existing wax, spray painted my traps and a week later did the double dip in FMJ. This summer I washed off the dried mud, let them dry. And just dipped 2 coats in FMJ. I let them dry, boxed them and set them last week. A spot of rust here or there doesn’t seem to matter

You are going to get somewhat of a rust film because you took all of the oil off the metal, its not going to hurt anything.

After dipping them and leaving them inside they are fine, it's after I put them in the ground the rust starts to appear. The moisture must be penetrating the fmj?

Yep, same here.

I have not been impressed with the fmj. and its a pain in the butt to take it off. and I can smell the fmj I feel like. now I just have them plated with a heavy zinc coating and I may wax them as well. this is a trial run with having them plated. it is not cheap for most people I just have great connections through work. this plating withstands 720 hours of a salt spray being sprayed at the parts in order to be certified for the customer we supply the parts to.

I'm curious how you do the zinc coating? Is it a spray on coating.

No it is a plating company midwest rust proofing in Chicago. Is not cheap I had 3 dozen plated cost was 150 for the work plus the shipping costs. I just have the right contacts through my job. Its really not something the average trapper is gonna spend when the are so many other options for treating traps so much cheaper. Im hoping this plating lasts at least 3 to 4 years we will see as this is the first year they will be going in the ground. I will give my thoughts on the durability of the playing.

Does anybody run the plated diablo dp's? Aren't they zinc plated? A coon will definitely let you know how good of a coating you have real fast like.

That's not too bad of a price at all if it last 3.5 years that only about a $1.20 a trap per year. If you figure your time and expense to do it using traditional methods it would be a wash with a lot less effort involved.

red hill, that was my thought I normally spend aboput 40 bucks a year just in materials to dye and wax not counting the hours I have to put into doing it as well as ive gotten the wax too hot before and had issues with smelly wax. these have no smell and the plating is tuff. I have used the diablo trap and it is a zinc yellow to start but catch a coon and it is shiny silver color that is just the top coat color for the customer specification zinc clear is what these traps are. that diablo trap that the yellow gold color came off of after catching a coon still has not rusted except a few spots around the springs and the trigger this coating is way tougher than powder coating as well. I thought about powder coating but have seen a coon shine those up too. my hope is that at the end off season I can pull everything and go to a carwash and pressure wash them and hang in the shed till next season. we will see what happens come February 15 when I pull everything. some of these sets will have been in the ground since nov 10th untouched using wax dirt to freeze proof the set not using any salt in the bed and I am interested to see how they come out of the ground.

Anyone ever try sharkhide on traps? Works great on everything metal.used it for pontoons and welded iron fencing. Never tried the aerosol though and kinda interested in giving it a shot

I’ve used zep high traffic floor wax for a couple years now. Never used wax. But if your traps are in the ground they are going to pick up rust. Most of my stuff is looking pretty decent this year.

I will say, I get more rust on clean traps that got coated. Once rusted and dyed I will say they hold the dip better. Nothing scientific, just personal observation!