Will the rustoleum rusty metal primer and acetone mix for trap dip stick to new degreased clean traps? Or do they need to have rust?

Why would you mix acetone with the rustoleum?

To thin it.

I think it would stick if the steel is degreased but I wouldn’t expect rustoleum to hold up very long in wet soil.

60-40 acetone-paint
Acetone evaporates pretty fast and I found it can thicken.

Works well , I use purple power degreaser. Let them soak overnight. rinse dry, and dip.

Bes trap dip ought derr.

Dip works better with an etch into the newer steel. Acid will etch, rust will make a surface to bond to, the other way would be mechanical, to sand or brush, etc.
60/40 acetone to Rustoleum works well for me. We have lower temps with high humidity.

Get the grease and oil off however you need to get it done.

I see this brought up quite often.
But how about using paint thinner instead of acetone. I just checked prices at the local Farm & Fleet, acetone 14.99, paint thinner 7.99. Big difference. Has anyone used thinner before? I suppose some experimentation with thinner amount would get the paint thin enough for dipping.

It’s volatility. The more volatile the solvent, the faster it dries. Some people have trouble with getting their paint to dry in humid or cooler regions. Any solvent that dissolves the paint will probably work but the more volatile it is the faster it’ll dry. You can mess with ratios somewhat as well to adjust thickness and drying time as well.

I use paint thinner/mineral spirits. Degrease traps, Dry, dip in thin mixture. Stripe with camo spray paint... Let dry.

Excellent results

I used ethanol free gas to thin out the rustoleum. Worked fine for me.

Acetone can be used to remove straight Rustoleum. It really gets in there on a molecular level.
Interestingly, this property makes acetone an excellent thinner for Rustoleum and has no ill effect on the Rustoleum sticking to metal once the acetone dissipates out of the paint.
I build antique trucks and use acetone to clean bare metal running boards and inner fenders, and thin the black Rustoleum paint for spraying with a paint gun. This ends up with a show quality paint job on those parts.

Yep. I use at least 60% acetone.

I tried it this year on a dozen and will dip all my traps next year. Fast and easy. I was always scared of the paint smell and it just seemed to easy. Wish I would have known this 30 years ago. Slow learner