Been dying traps today,dye doesn't seem like normal,usually shiney black after taking out of liogwood dye. These seem chalky instead of smooth. Any ideas? Been doing it the same way for years

Sometimes the black crystals can be chalky thats why u mix half crystals half powder i use walnut hulls with red sumac hulls... Decent coat of rust and wala. I dont really care what they look like. Im painting many now. You didnt say what u are dying with.

the brown powder

never had that issue with brown....Were your traps loose rust?

some of the new ones were lightly rusted,but others had old dye from last year

I use the red dye and they always look dull and chalky. Once you wax them they will look great