Ok, I only have 7 new MB550's. I've never prepped a trap before and have questions on whether I should dye/wax or just use a speed dip like FMJ? Either way I have no issues with doing either. I just want them to be done correctly. I'm sure its the ford/chevy debate on which is better. But if I can be steered into direction I would be pleased, thanks.

Degrease and wax the first year after that dye and wax every year. Its an individual thing I personally don't care for dipped traps and have to clean it off of a lot of used traps I buy. Lots of both sides on here so research a little and decide what is best for you.

I’m a dye and wax guy myself

Like you said, Ford or Chev. I like trap dip. IMO Most people don't do it right. The weather should be warm/hot. The mix should be thin. Most guys that don't like dip try to do the traps when the weather is cold and mix the dip too thick. If the weather is cool and the dip is too thick, it does not dry well. If the can of dip says to mix 1 can of dip to 4 cans of gas, use 5 cans of gas and do it on a day when the weather is at least 70 degrees out and hang in the sun. JMO

3-5 coats of FMJ on a clean trap worked for me. Clean out the dog and pan with a dental pick or something similar and your good to go.

Degrease, wash and wax.
Next year, wash and wax.

I quit dying years ago...After about 3 decades. Oh the time I wasted on dying traps.

But to each his own.

I agree with Calvin.

Be sure to degrease well before doing either. That includes boiling them.

Gallon of Coleman white gas and half a quart of speed dip. It goes on thin ,covers and drys during summer in a couple of days

Don't have to boil them anymore.
Simple green (or todays equivalent bio degreasers) takes it all off. Do it twice to be sure, but I don't boil traps anymore. Even new coyote traps.

I'll toss them in rain water bucket for a day or so after the final rinse is about it.

I pretty much follow what Calvin recommends. However, I do think that logwood dye can be beneficial but only in one sense - stopping or slowing down rust. True logwood dyes contain tannins that inhibit rust. I almost always dye used traps because they're almost always rusted when I get them.

1. Catch wife gone
2. Run thru hot water wash in dishwasher.
3. Lay them in grass beside your trapshed where rain can fall on them.
4. Couple weeks before trapping season boil them in logwood crystals with wax added to the bucket so it coats them as you pull them out.
5. Catch all you can when you can !!!

Lots of good advice here. I just degrease, car wash, then important step is to make sure they dry good. Unless I have a lot to do, I rattle can em with a good primer then dip a couple times in fmj or equivalent. Again make sure they are dry before final dipping so you don't trap moisture underneath.

no more boiling here either, green or purple or blue stuff sprayed on 3 days in a row then to the carwash we go.

also, have you looked here? https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/forums/13/1/Trap_Preparation_Archives

All I do is wax traps now, 15 years I think

For you guys that aren't boiling in dye but are waxing, what do you do when a trap starts getting areas of rust on it after some time in the ground or water? Are you just cleaning them up with a powerwasher or something and just waxing over the rust?

I'd love to skip the logwood dye to cut down on time and effort but have always thought I needed to neutralize the rust somehow before waxing.

I brush new traps with acetone to degrease. Then I wash them in hot soapy water. Rinse with a garden hose. I then throw them out on the grass where the dew can get at them. For about a week, I spray them all over with a solution of vinegar and water. This will start them rusting quickly. After a good coat of rust is present, I dye in logwood crystals and pull them up through wax that is on the water. I like my traps to be a dark color to blend in wherever i need to set them.
I enjoy dyeing and waxing traps. It cures some of the itch to be doing something before the season opens.

Thanks guys for the advise, you have me completely confused. Actually, some very good info was gained by the above comments. I already ran them thru the dishwasher but not I think I better take it a step further to insure the traps are completely de-greased. I think I will dye and wax the traps, mainly, because I've never done either and need to familiarize myself with the process.

I boil them in water,

Run them thru the dishwasher again if you wish. With just seven traps, I'd just spray paint them.