Hello, everyone. I've got some rusty traps I need to prepare for use. I remember someone mentioning using vinegar and water to get rid of the rust. Does anyone know a good ratio to use? How much vinegar to 1 gallon of water?

Vinegar will cause more rust. It may loosen scale but will rust. Use wire brush to remove loose rust then dye and wax...

X2 on that. Brush them and maybe boil them in lye...then dye and wax if you choose to

Poloy-zag will remove all rust.

Excessive rust makes them weak also.A patina of rust is not a problem.Lots of guys here that leave their traps out on the line all year round,spray their marten traps with pam and shove them in the box.Those traps have a nice brown patina and work well.

Wire brush and dye if you have the time,or just wax.

I know a guy who deals in classic automotive parts. He uses a dip drum with lysol bathroom cleaner in it. The stuff to clean tile. He swears it makes metal like new. I have not tried it myself, but he believes in it enough that he keeps a 55 Gall Drum about 2/3 full of it. A trap would be a good test for it.

This statement is correct, however, wash the traps with water after soaking in vinegar or a mix and then dry. Soon after they are dry, up to a few days, treat the traps. Dip, dye, might be able to soak in baking soda water like many do with snares. Something that will stop any future rust. Your surrounded by salt water there in Kotz so rust prevention would be pretty important for long trap life.
Hi to you and Jen!
mt

I have used vinegar many times, and works incredibaly well. Always followed by a baking soda and water rinse, then paint dip.

Absolutely.ALWAYS neutralize an acid.

vinegar if a good cure for badly rusted ones for me. it will quickly remove that badly rusted parts off fast ,then as others have stated Finnish off with-your favorite way to complete the final job.