I've read about speed dip, FMJ, formula one, paint, ect. Just looking for an alternative. Not sure how the ones mixed with fuel don't spook them

Aahh, the age old question with infinite answers. I've used most all of them and caught fur with all of them. Speed dip is fine, just don't try to mix with ethanol gas. Make sure to dip in the summer, well ahead of season on a warm, low humidity day. Don't try to dip in November and expect a good result. My preference, a pot of boiling logwood dye followed by a dip in hot wax. Preferably, over a wood fire. Nothing says "trapping season" like a wood fire with a pot of boiling traps over it.

I tried fmj a few years ago, didn’t work for me. Hard to beat dye and wax

It is hard to beat the old boil dye and wax pot system. I have used them all over the years. Just waxing works out when in a hurry. Everyone has their favorite.

Try some different ways over the years and maybe you will come up with your own favorite system of trap treatment.

There is no alternative to black and wax.

I've used the speed dip a lot with good results. The last couple years I've been painting too.

I’m gonna keep going with logwood dye and wax. I’ve got a lot of different opinions but I like the process and turnout

FMJ worked for me...but Sumac berries & walnuts simmered dye black the steel and free.

i paint Beaver traps

I have trapped a lot of animals, land & water using spray rustoleum paint; but do like traditional dye & wax when I have the time. I buy paint at yard sales, estate sales as it’s way too expensive in retail stores.

For a dozen traps or so. I buy a can of Heavy Duty Easy Off oven cleaner. Spray them down and hose off. Hang them for a few weeks to a month to get a coat of rust on them. Then use Zep floor wax dip, hang and let dry. I usually will leave them hanging outside through a couple or rain storms. Let them dry and then put them in a PVC tub with a couple of cedar tree small branches in there with them. Put the lid on and break them out a month or so before trapping season. Leave them hanging outside for the entire season and pull them to use as needed.

Dye and wax is the only one you can do one day, and set those traps the next day.

And actually catch canines.

Formula 1 is ready to go soon as it's dry. I've not used it on footholds for coyotes but I have used it on snares and set them the following day and caught coyotes in them that night as well as subsequent nights.

zeps works for me. cheap simple quick. have caught yotes the next day plenty of times. does NOT work well for water traps

Why would you wax a rusty trap?
If mine get bad I’ll soak them in vinegar to get the rust off then a couple dips in Zeps. Ain’t had a critter yet complain about being caught in a shiny pretty trap.

I normally dye and wax. Last summer I spray painted a bunch. Worked good, as far as I know , no refusals. I made sure to do it months ahead of season.