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

I didn’t read thru everything posted…but you should set up a double boil type thing. Wax in one bucket floats in a bucket of water over the flame.

Yes canning wax. It's usually Gulf brand but any paraffin canning wax will work.

I was always told not to use soy based wax, only parrafin wax I get mine from hobby lobby.

Just set them tomorrow and as long as they aren't contaminated, you will be fine.

I bought a 25 pound block off Amazon - pure parrafin

Well it looks like I’m limited to 3.5 blocks for tonight, gonna do my best and pray I catch some yotes! I’ll be more prepared for the next go around. I’m gonna get several blocks from mtp when I get another half dozen traps and I’ll get a pot to keep the wax in it for continuous use. Thank yall for all the replies. I’m a few weeks in now and have caught a bob cat, 2 possums, 3 coons and one beaver!

If it were me I would clean them up the best I could and set them to get the yotes you are after and when that is done, clean your traps and do the lye, dye, was or whatever your treatment methods are. I have only used wax only and I get the wax hot enough to give me a really thin layer or wax.

If you wanted to wax them now and only are waxing 6 traps I would melt a couple 1lbs. blocks in a cake type pan and put the traps in set that way you won't have to scrap the pan slot or dogs and you will use far less wax in my opinion.

Bryce

Thanks Bryce!! Really kicking myself for not thinking of that already. You saved me a lot of worries!

I have heard of people using wax and water but I always use pure wax.

The trap needs to be as hot as the wax if your going to get a good job.. If It's In water then pulled through the wax It will never be as hot as the wax.

Yep, first time this year dying and waxing traps. Did the wax and water thing. Seemed to work great. I just opened a tub of traps that haven’t been set. Traps are rusted and due is flaking off. I would still be setting them but will be using just wax next year.

Personally I would set unwaxed traps today and just roll on. You have a new spot to trap and you are excited so go do it. Wax when you have the time.

And how is that if wax is melted in boiling water it will be the temperature of the water. And I have tride it with water and it does work

Hardly any is on the trap, it's making it deep enough to cover the trap is the problem. Buy it in a 10 lb block at a candle supply store, will last many years.

… pure wax … I filled a pot full of black trap wax years ago and still use it

… it’ll make your traps so dark you’ll worry they might steal your truck

If you keep a couple inches of water in (under) your wax when the wax goes back into a block you can remove the plug of wax and pour off the water that’s full of trash you don’t need in your way to help keep it cleaner.

When I treat my land or canine traps I boil them in a lye based solution and have my wax kettle melted down as well. When I bring the hot traps out of the boiling solution I can quick dip them in clean water and while still hot the water evaporates right off and then I dip them in the wax. The traps are still very hot and they will bubble and boil a bit but will soon take on that nice thin coat of wax I like to have. A good hot breezy day and all three aspects are completed. The same type of weather works well for dipping the Speed dip traps as well.

Bryce

When i used to wax, i used to use the water/wax method and never had any problems. Maybe i was doing it wrong?

When i used it 30 yrs ago i used only wax not with water. For the last 30 plus yrs just dye or paint to protect the trap

My new wax cooker. Wife picked it up today at an estate auction for $5

Nice cat on the first night!!

Nice! Whatever you did, it worked

About 75% wax and 25% water!

Just set, lol. Clean them up after season or between places. A little rust isn’t going to hurt. If they get bad just drop them in some vinegar after season and they’ll look brand new again.

The correct method for waxing is to dye your traps first, hang and let dry completely. Use pure wax, NO WATER, bring to rolling boil (do this outdoors). Now dip your traps into the wax and give them leave a couple of minutes to take on the temperature of the wax. lift out of the wax let them drip a minute or two, hang to let dry. Keep a cover handy should the wax get too hot and catch fire.

Straight paraffin and a little rosin has been my wax for 40 years or so... same wax, same bucket year after year.