Wax Dirt Screw Up
#7337487
08/23/21 09:56 AM
08/23/21 09:56 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,784 Oklahoma
Blaine County
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,784
Oklahoma
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Yesterday I finally started my first ever batch of wax dirt. I made 35 gallons and have 65 gallons to go.
I put a weed burner under my Harbor Freight cement mixer. I heated the dirt to 130ish degrees but in doing so scorched the paint on the cement mixer. It eventually scorched on the inside too.
My waxed dirt has an odor of scorched paint. It looks great, but I can smell it. I have to put it up to my nose to smell it, but I know a coyote will.
Throw it out and start over? Now I have a scorched paint cement mixer too. I assume if I back off the flame it won't scorch anymore. Right?
I tend to overthink things but I think I know the answer here. Please give me your recommendations!
Thank you in advance.
MOLON LABE
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Re: Wax Dirt Screw Up
[Re: Blaine County]
#7337491
08/23/21 10:04 AM
08/23/21 10:04 AM
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,710 West Central MN
20scout
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,710
West Central MN
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Toss it and start over but first I would runs some sand in the mixer to remove the scorched paint. The sand is abrasive enough to remove the paint or it will contaminate your next batch or two. Back the flame off and keep an eye on your temps. I use solar as it might be slower but it's almost foolproof and cheaper to make.
Common sense is a not a vegetable that does well in everyone's garden.
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Re: Wax Dirt Screw Up
[Re: Blaine County]
#7337811
08/23/21 06:51 PM
08/23/21 06:51 PM
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 3,033 Wyoming
cmcf
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 3,033
Wyoming
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I use a cement mixer and you are correct too much heat to quickly. My mixer H F came with a plastic washer/ flange gasket that I will leave out up on assembly for the very reason you encountered. The last one I used had the paint worn out from the inside. Dump the stinky stuff. If you want to get real snazzy get yourself a bag of black beauty blasting media and a couple gallons of 3/4 “ screen gravel. Add to the mixer aply heat to the bottom of the drum with about a foot of gap between end of flame and let her run about half an hour, dump. Put three gallons water and 1 box baking soda start mixer add heat until water is steaming dump. Rinse with fresh water and heat to dry make wax dirt when done spray drum with Pam or you will have rust. If you think about it water boils at 212F wax melts @120F——150F. Only way to scorch wax is same for burning food getting in a hurry. Once your drum is brought up to temperature there is no faster method to make WD.
“The world is governed by very different personages from what is imagined” B. Disraeli
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Re: Wax Dirt Screw Up
[Re: Blaine County]
#7338000
08/23/21 10:10 PM
08/23/21 10:10 PM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,415 Houghton Lake, MI
strike2x
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,415
Houghton Lake, MI
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I don't think the dirt will scare all coyote off. I use painted traps last year for the first time and I could still smell paint when I set them. I caught one the first night and caught several after that with those paint traps. I would use it on a a few test sets in my best areas to see how they react.
Wish I had more time to trap....
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Re: Wax Dirt Screw Up
[Re: walleye101]
#7338301
08/24/21 10:46 AM
08/24/21 10:46 AM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,393 Southern Michigan
trappergbus
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,393
Southern Michigan
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BC, 130 degree dirt sould not be a problem, about perfect. But, If you are checking temps with a lazer thermometer you may only be monitoring surface temp. Those mixers have multiple settings for mixing. I've found the the more vertical the less the dirt mixes and faster it heats, often too fast, on the bottom. The more horizontal the more even the dirt warms and prevents scorching. Yep, great post
Common sense catches alot of fur.. Pay homage to all you harvest..
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Re: Wax Dirt Screw Up
[Re: Blaine County]
#7338610
08/24/21 05:44 PM
08/24/21 05:44 PM
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,373 Flint, Michigan
bhugo
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,373
Flint, Michigan
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If you are going through all the trouble to set up gear, scout, get permission, make decent sets, and check them….no way I’d use dirt that smells like burned paint just on general principle….. Make new for sure. Good luck trapping!
Member MTPCA, FTA and NTA
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Re: Wax Dirt Screw Up
[Re: Blaine County]
#7338759
08/24/21 08:02 PM
08/24/21 08:02 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,784 Oklahoma
Blaine County
OP
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,784
Oklahoma
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Thanks guys. The 35 gallons of scorched dirt is now in the yard. Mixer has been cleaned with sand and gravel. Back to work on getting better at this.
MOLON LABE
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Re: Wax Dirt Screw Up
[Re: Blaine County]
#7338800
08/24/21 08:46 PM
08/24/21 08:46 PM
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Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 71 PA
Coilspring67
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 71
PA
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I would've laid it out on a tarp and let the smell disipate and try it.
Member PTA, NTA, FTA, PPHA, NWCOA
Modern Trapper TV Host
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Re: Wax Dirt Screw Up
[Re: Blaine County]
#7338968
08/24/21 11:25 PM
08/24/21 11:25 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,962 montana
red mt
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,962
montana
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Use for cats,, will not be a problem go get more dirt a bit more wax make wax dirt for coyotes your good to go now on . There is a learning curve .
Kenneth schoening
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Re: Wax Dirt Screw Up
[Re: Blaine County]
#7353870
09/12/21 01:09 PM
09/12/21 01:09 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,784 Oklahoma
Blaine County
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,784
Oklahoma
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The boy and I just finished our 100 gallons. Thanks for all of the tips.
I have this down now and am looking forward to next year going much smoother.
MOLON LABE
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Re: Wax Dirt Screw Up
[Re: Blaine County]
#7354349
09/12/21 11:12 PM
09/12/21 11:12 PM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,196 MN
yukonal
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,196
MN
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It will go smoother next time. I take notes every year...dirt temp, amount of wax, time mixing,,,etc, and throw the notes in with the wax sand for the following year. I also take pics of my burner set-up, and try to duplicate it exactly, every year.
Like Red says, there is a learning curve.
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