I waxed my extremes this weekend and tried to set a couple of them tonight after wiping as much of the wax off as I could, Holy (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman). I can hardly get them to stay set. When I can, pan tension is in the ounces. What did I do wrong other than waxing them in the first place.

Clean the wax off the pan-jaw contact point. A cigarette lighter or a small file will do it.

Walked away for an hour and went back. These all had right at 4lbs tension prior to wax. The pans are loose, tightened them up to remove any free fall and back to 3-4lbs.

I was literally heating the water to boil the wax off but I think I have it figured out. Feel stupid

Don't feel bad, I caught myself in the first one I waxed. Good thing I was wearing gloves, I was literally the only person in town at the time. Finally worked out of those gloves and melted the wax off of the pan and jaw. Lesson learned. It gets REAL interesting with the Wolf Xtremes lol.

I just use bow string wax on the jaw set point. mine are all coated from the factory

I did the same. I filed and set the pan tension to 4# and waxed. Most won’t even set now. If I had it to do over I’d loosen the pan bolt so the pan is free and bowstring wax. Don’t file anything lol !!

The finish on those traps is as close to indestructible as you can get. They have held up to wolverines, for me, and needed nothing more than cleaning.
That said, I waxed a few, and like I do to all the traps I wax, simply use a plumbing type torch to melt off the wax from the dog and triggers, (or in the case of the Extremes, that part of the jaw).

I won’t wax them in the future.

Never tried no BS traps for waxing. That being said never had a problem with MB550's waxing them.

Don't wax them, just dye them. Never have had an issue with them that way.

Why dye them? The ones I have came with a coating that is as hard a finish as I can imagine. It has held up to wolverine, otter, and a wolf, (that was nice enough to leave a toe, but demolished the site first). Not sure what dye would accomplish, or if it would even stick.

I have 7 doz of them, after multiple catches the coating does wear off. At that point I soak them in a vinegar bath to remove the rust, power wash them then dip in 75/25 paint/thinner mix at the end of the season. Never have and see no reason to wax them.

I know a USDA government trapper that uses the No Bs Extremes. He catches 500 coyotes a year. He has No Bs traps. That have gone 3 years. And are 50-60% on coating. THAT says alot for them to me. IF I could not run MJ 600 Sterlings. No Bs would be my trap of choice

I wax mine. Swipe the pan notch with a file 2 or 3 times to clear any excess wax, leave the square stock on the jaw alone, and they end up at about 3 lbs tension if the pan is floppy. No issues with them.