When using a cement mixer do you use concrete sand or will play sand work.

I got no idea what "play" sand is, I assume fine texture and round edges like beach sand? Not much good for scouring, I'd think.
As an old construction hand I guess concrete sand is likely to be coarser and sharper than masonry sand and therefore a better scouring agent.

Are you removing Speed Dip?

For ordinary cleaning a car wash or pressure washer is sufficient I think. I know many of my traps are from the 1980s and have never been cleaned except by rain or garden hose. I do cook them in tannin solution every so often and hot wax after that, but I don't want bright steel nor does my trap have to be any cleaner than the dirt I cover it with.

Blasting grit. Medium. Less than 10 dollars for a 50 pound bag at tractor supply. I use 2 bags in my mixer. I think Swamp Wolf here posted the item first.

Play sand is what you would put in a sand box for kids, It doesn't stick to the clothes and they won't track it in the house... I'm removing dye and wax.

Thanks thskeer, I never thought of blasting grit

It works like a charm! 25 to 30 minutes, I swap directions half way, and they will be nice. I put 6 #3s at a time. Put end of chain in jaws to reduce tangles and chain balls too.

Tom

ok, I can't think of any reason at all to remove wax, but looks like blasting grit should do it, hot water would also.

Blasting grit will remove wax, rust, and grit. I power wash first and let dry before going in the mixer. That cuts down on the salt in there as well as dust from the dirt.

Tom

I clean in grit almost every year, depending on the amount of rust, salt used, skunk or other smells, then dye and wax.

I always remove the old wax, either by boiling until it melts and floats, or in the mixer method, then re wax. Last thing I want to do is put a trap with contaminated wax into my wax pot! I don’t want to cross contaminate 20 plus pounds of wax.

Hey thskeer, Tried the grit tonight did a couple dozen and it works great.. Just like you said 30 min. took off wax, dye and rust. Thanks again

Geeze you guys make a production out of cleaning traps. You'd think we were getting corvette panels ready for paint.

Soak them in water, hose or powerwash and wax. That's it.

Oh the days I wasted boiling traps, etc. Dumb.

I'm with calvin. Simpler is better. I stick new traps in a vinegar bath overnight to rust. Otherwise, its powerwash 'em and dip 'em. Dogproofs get cleaned out and spray painted white. I'm only trapping coons and rats, though.

Calvin.. The reason I want to remove everything (wax and dye) is..I want to try dipping in paint this year.

Makes sense,smitty.I think you chose a good way to do it.

for painting tumbling with grit would be a good way to go

Maybe throw a box of poultry grit...in with the sand. Farm stores carry it.