OFF SEASON Trap prep. Video Using Formula #1

Great video. I never thought about using the lid off of a tote to catch the drippings. I hang mine over my container to dry. Think I'll try your method out.

For some reason I can't view the clip.

I like the Formula 1 it is fast and easy when you have a bunch of snares to do. I also like painting them with a LIGHT dusting of camo paint. If you coil them together and spray each side with different colors of camo, when you un-coil them they blend in so well I can hardly find them. But the spray paint can be expensive when you have 1000 snares to do so I use the F1.

I mix the F1 like the can says only thinner, I add 1 - 1 1/2 cans of extra water, uncoil my snares and dip them 1 dozen at a time and drop them on cardboard to dry for an hour or so. They are then done. Just one dip is all you want to keep from impeding the locks performance.

I used to do the baking soda thing but I never liked the chalky feel or the resulting look of the snares. And I have learned this... You don't ever want to boil all the oil off your snares. I know that's controversial, but this is a learning post so here's why... If you boil off all the oil it removes the oils from the center strands of the cable, without this oil, the first time the snares see any moisture or high humidity the cable begins to corrode/rust from the inside, out. This makes the cables stiffer and does not allow them to preform up to their best. You need a smooth soft cable to let your locks slide smooth and fast for a dependable, desired, high neck catch. This is often very gradual, and if your snares are used and connect the first year-two after you boil them it will not be so big a deal... HOWEVER after a couple years in Iowa's climate the cable becomes stiffer and weaker. I've had snares get so bad that if you'd bend a kink in the cable by hand, the strands actually break (not all them but some). So I say if you have a few to do, use camo spray paint and if you have a bunch to do use the F1.

Furthermore- I venture to guess the baking soda guys have never tried the F1 or they would switch if for no other reason than the speed and way better camo look. I use the brown F1.

Here they're all done...




Then time for the Formula 1, before....




After...



All done....



Closer up....



I really like that F1 for fast snare prep! Enjoy!

~ADC~

I started by using the F1 on my snares but then tried it on footholds for beaver. I really like it. You mix it per the directions a pint goes along ways and it will keep for a long time if you cover it and protect it from freezing. Simply wash the traps free of factory oils, (I use the dishwasher on the same cycle and same soap as real dirty pots and pans, I also give it a little squirt of Dawn dish soap as well) then dip them in the mix, hang to dry (about an hour with a fan on them) repeat up to as many times as you'd like til they look how you want them. Here they are after one coat...



I decided on 4 coats total...



A good friend of mine has been using it and liking the results on his bodygrippers as well...



That is the color you get with the "brown" F1 it's the only color I've used. It looks like an OD green to me.

~ADC~

So ADC, you're saying you don't need to slightly rust new traps after degreasing?

At $60.00 a gallon I can buy a lot of spray paint.

I'm not bad mouthing the product........ And rust does continue to form under the coating. Is that a problem? I don't know but It does happen.