I used to use a fire, now I use a propane double burner similar to this.https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/camp-chef-explorer-2-burner-camp-stove

most do for 30 plus yrs. Alot of us used weedburner torch type assembleys. I just dont like to heat them anymore. Heating springs on the bottom of a barrel or tub destroys temper. You have to keep the traps off the bottom. Painting is even better. I was painting some 55 yrs ago.

Spray paint Bodygrippers and water traps

How hot do they have to get to affect spring temper?

I dyed some body grips a few weeks ago and I was not impressed.

Someone asked when I posted pics if I used vinegar to clean them so maybe that had something to do with it?

already have some rust on them I noticed yesterday when prepping for this cold weather. I may run them through dye process again

How hot do they have to get to affect spring temper? [/quote]
hot.....like even a simmer because if they are touching the bottom of barrel or tub its just like being in the flame. Always keep the traps off the bottom....put sifter etc on bottom...

The last ones I did I used the log crystals like you then brushed on some FMJ. I’ve tried all kinds of methods. The gas ones I didn’t like much. Paint on my beaver stuff. I’m going to try logwood with the wax on top on some traps this spring again. Last time the wax was crappy because the traps weren’t them same temp as the wax when pulling.

Nice flat black spray paint.

Dying is a preservative for rust from the old days, IMO. There are better rust preservatives nowadays, get them clean and dry and coat with anything mentioned above for land traps. I paint new water traps then do nothing but clean them after the season store dry. Traps in water don’t rust, traps in the dirt do.

Depends on what kinda water you’re in. Trapped a golf course late fall in some real hard water with new stands & traps. The dye will stick real good now!

Thats why paint

West river rogue, How long do you let them air out after painting and before setting them. Also do you wax them also or not.

Looks real good!!!! Are you gonna cut off those extra poky parts where other springs go???

I die and wax my land traps dip the water traps in acetone and rusty metal primer. My barrels have hooks welded inside to hang 5/6 traps wired together. They dont touch the bottom can boil a couple dozen at a time. I have a cleaning barrel, die barrel and a 15 gal stainless steel keg with top cut off for wax. Each has a burner under it individually controlled.






Western Wildlife Services

I ordered this today!!!

If you go with a gas burner, just be careful with the weight of a larger tub. I learned this the hard way, while melting lead in a cast iron pot. I noticed the legs bowing out really bad, and got the pot unloaded before it collapsed.

Gotcha thank you! I don’t have many traps so I don’t need much water

That should work for you.

Western Wildlife Services

We use to use a weed burner , 1/2 of 55 gallon drum on cement block.

Now I use a 2 burner Camp cChef and a 11 gallon stainless steel pot.

Looks like, (but hard to see on a flip phone), wws uses havaharts,,,,,,,,,never trust a have a heart trapper…….

( nice set up)

I would buy any 1081 ya want to get rid of,,,,,,to help you increase your professionalism