Post by Scott McCray on Apr 14, 2006 20:46:23 GMT -5
Trapping season has ended for most of us. Some are new to trapping, some have bought more traps and some want to re-dye and wax their traps to be ready for this coming season. So here's my process.
New traps need to have the oil removed so they will lightly rust. This is necessary so the dye will have something to adhere to. I've tried the dishwasher, lightly sandblasting and muriatic acid.
The dishwasher is probably the easiest. You will have to wrap the chains around the traps so they won't get into the workings of the dishwasher. Wash them in heavy cycle with dishwashing soap. Let them run thru and you should be all set to get them rusty.
I like sandblasting the best because you don't have to let them rust. The blasting gives them a surface that's excellent for the dye to stick to. Unfortunately not everyone has access to a sand or glass bead blaster.
Muriatic acid can be bought at hardware, building supply or pool stores. You must use caution and read the caution label. Mix five gallons of water with one quart of acid. You must use plastic containers because the acid will ruin metal ones. When you put the traps in the solution they will turn very shiny. and they are ready to take out and rust. Use a long hook of some sort. To put them in and take them out.
Now it's time to let them rust. You can leave them outside for a few day or put them in Vinegar and water.
I use five gallons of water and a quart of Vinegar. Just dip them in and let them set for a few minutes and then take them out and let them dry. Within 15 minutes this is what you will get.
Now for the dyeing and waxing.
This is my set up.
I use a turkey fryer with a 9 gallon bucket for the dye and a 3 gallon bucket for the wax.
For dyeing I fill the 9 gallon bucket to about 4 inches from the top and start the burner. When the water starts boiling I pour in the logwood crystals. I put in four bags. Stir it up and start dyeing traps. I put in as many as will fit and still be covered by the solution. Then I sit in my chair and have something cold or hot to drink depending on the weather. Check the traps from time to time to see how they're coming. I made a long handled hook to put the traps in, check them and take them out. When they're the darkness I want I take them out and hang them to dry. I make small hooks out of coat hangers and hang them on my dog kennel.
When all the traps have been thru the dye solution I put my 3 gallon bucket with the wax in it into the dye solution.
When the wax has melted it's time to put the traps in. I put one at a time in. If it's cold out they will turn white until they reach the same temperature as the wax then they will be black. If it's warm out they may not turn white so just leave them for about 3-5 minutes. Watch your water level you may have to add some from time to time depending on how many traps your doing.
Take them take them out and hang them to cool.
When everything has cooled enough to handle cover your buckets and they will be ready to use the next time you need them
This is the safest way to wax your traps. The wax will not start on fire unless you leave the set up unattended and it runs out of water.
Article Written By our own Ruthomas
As a side note, Please make sure that your buckets are clean and clear of Debris and please always use extreme caution when heating your wax and dipping as Wax is VERY flamable.
New traps need to have the oil removed so they will lightly rust. This is necessary so the dye will have something to adhere to. I've tried the dishwasher, lightly sandblasting and muriatic acid.
The dishwasher is probably the easiest. You will have to wrap the chains around the traps so they won't get into the workings of the dishwasher. Wash them in heavy cycle with dishwashing soap. Let them run thru and you should be all set to get them rusty.
I like sandblasting the best because you don't have to let them rust. The blasting gives them a surface that's excellent for the dye to stick to. Unfortunately not everyone has access to a sand or glass bead blaster.
Muriatic acid can be bought at hardware, building supply or pool stores. You must use caution and read the caution label. Mix five gallons of water with one quart of acid. You must use plastic containers because the acid will ruin metal ones. When you put the traps in the solution they will turn very shiny. and they are ready to take out and rust. Use a long hook of some sort. To put them in and take them out.
Now it's time to let them rust. You can leave them outside for a few day or put them in Vinegar and water.
I use five gallons of water and a quart of Vinegar. Just dip them in and let them set for a few minutes and then take them out and let them dry. Within 15 minutes this is what you will get.
Now for the dyeing and waxing.
This is my set up.
I use a turkey fryer with a 9 gallon bucket for the dye and a 3 gallon bucket for the wax.
For dyeing I fill the 9 gallon bucket to about 4 inches from the top and start the burner. When the water starts boiling I pour in the logwood crystals. I put in four bags. Stir it up and start dyeing traps. I put in as many as will fit and still be covered by the solution. Then I sit in my chair and have something cold or hot to drink depending on the weather. Check the traps from time to time to see how they're coming. I made a long handled hook to put the traps in, check them and take them out. When they're the darkness I want I take them out and hang them to dry. I make small hooks out of coat hangers and hang them on my dog kennel.
When all the traps have been thru the dye solution I put my 3 gallon bucket with the wax in it into the dye solution.
When the wax has melted it's time to put the traps in. I put one at a time in. If it's cold out they will turn white until they reach the same temperature as the wax then they will be black. If it's warm out they may not turn white so just leave them for about 3-5 minutes. Watch your water level you may have to add some from time to time depending on how many traps your doing.
Take them take them out and hang them to cool.
When everything has cooled enough to handle cover your buckets and they will be ready to use the next time you need them
This is the safest way to wax your traps. The wax will not start on fire unless you leave the set up unattended and it runs out of water.
Article Written By our own Ruthomas
As a side note, Please make sure that your buckets are clean and clear of Debris and please always use extreme caution when heating your wax and dipping as Wax is VERY flamable.