So I dyed and waxed some traps

[JohnGalway 1,043]

I decided I would dye and wax my traps. Why? Why not

 

I got some Black Trap Dye from Fourteenacre and some Parafin wax off Ebay.

 

The process is simple and painless. Just one safety note, do it outside. I didn't, I did it in my little shed, because I'm impatient and the weather is crap. But there is a real risk, particularly with the wax.

 

I started out with my two somewhat rusty MK 6 Fenns.

 

 

After a good wire brushing... If you're using new traps then de grease/oil them first. I used Cillit Bang (on my MK 4's which I haven't dyed & waxed yet) because that was what I could liberate was on hand at the time.

 

 

I, uhm, happened to aqquire two pots. One I use for dye, one I use for wax.

 

 

Got the dye to a boil then I backed off the heat to have it below the boil, threw in my traps for an hour, but I kept a good eye on the pot to make sure it didn't boil... But it did anyway but not for long lol

 

 

This is what the dyed traps look like.

 

 

These are the Fenns after dying and waxing. The waxing is just melt a bunch of wax in the pot, I didn't have it boiling while the traps were in, leave them in long enough so the metal reaches the temp of the wax, take them out, shake, hang to dry, done. I have read wax can be quite dangerous, it's a fire risk so don't do what I did kiddies, do it outdoors.

 

 

 

I like the outcome, they're nicely dyed and fast as greased lightning. I've also done some bodygrips that I didn't photograph. Read some funny stuff on US trapping forums particularly about peoples opinions on waxing the 330 size conibears, one guy would punch anyone who put'em in his truck Still, with the tiddlers we piss about with I don't see the harm.

 

I don't think I'll try to wax the Kania mind

 

One tip from it all?

 

Steal Use bigger f'ing pots than I did

Edited May 18, 2012 by JohnGalway

[Rolfe 2]

Nice post John......it would take me months if i did all my traps.......it is something I have never done and i would be interested to hear if it makes any difference to the catch rate etc. Kania's are easy-peasy.....Trip to Halfords.......green and brown spray paint.....disruptive cammo design all over!

 

ATB....Rolfe.

[IanB 0]

Commitment John , With Fenns I wouldn't be too concerned about what colour they are, but you can protect them with a tin of spray paint easy enough, if you want to try and prevent any rust.. If your using them for rabbits there under the ground, or if for rats,squirrels,stoats, etc there in a tunnel, so imo its pointless colouring them.

[ratattack 111]

Adding paint to traps i find makes them stand out much more than a nice rusty trap! Nothing looks more obvious than a painted/dyed trap.

[moley 115]

depends what colour you paint them , if your using luminous green or yellow, then they will stand out, if you use leaf green or brown in matt paint , they won,t stand out, i try not to use rusty traps, they are slow to spring and don,t hit as hard as a good clean trap, i use dyed traps for rabbits even tho they are covered, it saves the trap from rusting and keeps them firing nice and crisp

[JohnGalway 1,043]

I've not borrowed the cops radar gun, but to my eyes the traps I've dyed and waxed do fire faster now, than they did before I done them. Can't prove it scientifically But that's how it looks to me.

 

I also would agree with Moleys point on not liking rusty traps, though I'll admit to having them!

[TOMO 26,197]

good post that ,, as for the kannia,,ile be honest , ive just used engin oil on the spring ,,

[toby63 1,236]

rusty or not they not in a show parade its down to the person setting them .colour doesnt matter.

[JohnGalway 1,043]

Noticed a feed bag nibbled a few days ago. I put down some Storm blocks screwed to timbers and they were eaten in quick order. Won't put more down until at least next Saturday. Funny thing, I saw blue rat shit yesterday, so they're eating it and not just drawing it back to the nest.

 

I put down a fenn and a live catch cage yesterday morning and checked today. Fenn 1 - 0 Live catch, baited with the same feed they'd been nibbling on.

 

Looks like a good catch to me. I set another Fenn outdoors under an upturned feed trough, I had a Storm station there that also got demolished.

 

[logun 91]

hey john good on you. i got a few wax done traps,every thing seems to be a one dip one coat job here,, i dye mine with oak leaves and the last few weeks a waz dip.. paraffin hard wax ,,can get it few £a kilo.but remember i done 50 traps out of two kiloes,, so if they need redipping they dont use more.. just recycled whats on the trap

[JohnGalway 1,043]

Got my wax off Ebay, might have posted price above, can't remember it off the top of my head but I have tons of the stuff now Traps fire really fast with it IMO, doubt that rat knew anything about it.

 

I had heard of oak leave dying before, but the nearest oaks to me are miles away and a trek across the bog, so the dye is much handier.

[whippet 99 2,613]

always a pleasure to read such good threads as always interesting stuff.............

[JohnGalway 1,043]

always a pleasure to read such good threads as always interesting stuff.............

 

Plenty of gems out there if you search back through the mists of time. Unless they've been lost, which would be a proper shame.