Pulled traps today and noticed they had rusted quite a bit since I put them in the dirt. From my understanding they shouldn’t have done that if waxed properly right? The last time I waxed them they had 0 rust and had been boiled in water to get the grease off of them. I’m concerned because I’ve got permission to set traps tomorrow morning at a spot with a bunch of coyotes and have wax to re do them if necessary. Which leads me to ask should have I waxed them in wax alone the last time or is a water and wax mix fine? Thanks for any advice!!

I always do wax only

I figured out early in the game that fooling with wax on water is just a good way to trap bubbles of water against your traps. I also stopped dying them because the wax protects them just fine and anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something.

How many wax blocks for 6 traps?

And do you let the wax come to a boil or just melt?

WAX ONLY, once its melted dip in DRY traps till it stops crackling, pull trap out shake and hang to dry

A lot of factors come into play from trap prep to trap/wax temps without seeing your process it’s tough to pinpoint the issue. I use a weed touch to heat my wax and dye at the same time allowing me to control the temps on both pots. I don’t mind a little water under my wax it allows me to pour out the trash under the wax when it cools.

That will depend on the size of your wax pot. You need enough wax to cover the trap completely.

Wax doesn't boil. If it's boiling it's because there's water in with it. Just get it melted, put the trap in, then leave the trap in there a minute or two so it has time to get to the same temperature as the wax. When you pull it would it should just look wet. If you see white looking wax on it, you didn't leave it in the wax long enough before pulling it out.

I only have 3.5 blocks of wax left and my pot isn’t real big. I boil all the traps in a big pot and then dip them in a small pot to put wax on them. Will it hurt to add a little water to help me completely cover the trap?

If not anyone know where to get it in store that would still be open?

Hobby lobby

Walmart, in the canning supplies.

Most any grocery store or hardware store that carries canning supplies will have it.

Heat wax SLOWLY under a low flame.
Too much heat & you can scorch the wax.

I use a pot big enough to dip 3 traps at a time. Years ago i used a pot big enough to dip a dozen at a time but i do less trapping now. The smaller pot just saves amount of wax to buy when replacing.

Let traps stay in wax about 5-10 minutes.

When remove shake hard a couple times onto tarp on floor to rid excess wax.

I use a doubled cloths hanger bent to a T to handle traps while in wax

Does it matter what kind of wax from Walmart? I’m about to have to trick my girlfriend into going along so I need to be rather quick

I don't know what kind of wax wallyworld sells but NO bees wax or scented wax of course. Canning wax maybe?
Next year buy wax from trapper supply

Yes sir I did originally but I’m in a bind and am supposed to set tomorrow

I understand. Good luck!

Wax only or don't bother.

Parrafin is the only thing you'll find in a store
I heat it until it's smoking.

I just dye no wax, never seemed to make much of a difference. If the traps get rusty just toss em in vinegar for 24 hours then baking soda and water to neutralize the acid and get back at it