As a novice mink trapper, I am trying to determine the best treatment for mink traps. I understand human scent isnt the concern, but what is the best way to control rust and keep them lightning fast.

Thanks.

I Paint dipped my water traps and #155's for Fisher, it does well for rust control and trap speed.

Brown speed dip for me. Dip early and hang up under an overhang.

I am the old way boil to dye and then wax .that is all my footholds. I dip my conis. but do it early.

I go with a gallon of acetone and a gallon of brown rustoleum and dip my traps in that. Comes out with a lightly coated smooth finish

May be a dumb question but guys always say “Rustoleum”. I went to Lowe’s and just looked at the Rustoleum, there’s like 5-6 different varieties. Can someone please tell me which one is best?

I've taken mink in #2 longs and they're slower than jumps(imho).
Wax is probably what would speed up the trap.
I read somewhere about setting the trap then just waxing the bottom part of the trap, leaving the jaw surfaces unwaxed for better grip.

Dye and wax.

I don't really mean speeding a trap up, I guess I just meant a treatment that wont slow down the trap. I am perfectly happy with the speed of a #2 jump. I could have worded that better I suppose. Just trying to avoid the rust that slows a trap down.

Most are referring to the Rustoleum rusty metal primer
I use that(1 gal) and 1 at black, 1 qt white, and thin with acetone. Gives a better muddy brown look. I'm sure it doesn't matter, just blends in better.

I trap all species for management purposes to keep the line healthy.You cannot manage a trapline on the basis of pelt price.And the investment needs to be protected regardless.It costs nothing to trap mink while trapping other keystone management species like beaver.Neglect a predator like mink and it will affect other species on the line,especially rats.Mink are efficient killers,and will surplus kill.Managing mink is not nearly as important as managing beaver or wolf which have a huge negative affect on line productivity when neglected, but I will harvest some mink every season to keep things in balance.
Same goes for treating traps.It is no more effort for me to treat mink traps while treating all other traps and snares.

I trap for fun. I work concrete so winters are slower, so I run a trapline. I trap to break even, not profit. Most I ever made trapping in the last 5 years is -$40. You could probably ask that question to anybody on this forum with the current market. Never had anybody try to talk me out of trapping on here before. But I understand what you are saying, sure not cost effective.

"PadCatch I would never, in a million years, ever try to talk anybody out of trapping. I'm also a hobby trapper, and it costs me a lot more than $40 per year to trap. (That's one tank of gas for me.) I think it's important that we have our motives and objectives in order. Hope the upcoming season is awesome for you, and that you'll share lots of photos with us."

Oh yeah, I know what you're saying. The last time I made money trapping was with my father a long time ago trapping red fox for $40 each. Mind you -$40 is the BEST year I had haha. It goes far deeper into the red most years. I appreciate it, and hope you have a great year as well. Water trapping has become a new passion and mink lead the charge for me.

Dusty, thank you for the clarification, I truly appreciate it.

Forgive me for intruding on your private conversation.

I have to pay my Game Commission to trap, so I guess if Im paying, I will trap whatever furbearers I want, or none at all. I get what your saying, but in this market I cant afford to run all over the country doing the "right" thing, if there is such a thing.

I dye and wax all of mine- even the body traps.

Just wax. Nothing blends in better than a rust color....and the wax is your protective coating.

Trappers love jet black traps for some reason. Black doesn't blend in to about anything.

Andy Stoe Speed Dip in brown mixed with Coleman fuel. Use it on all water traps and BG's.