I'll disagree on that 100%.

I'll not set a rat or mink trap that's not waxed. Most have no idea how important wax is on the small water animals...and really no sense in trying to convince anyone but the initial poster asked....soooo.

As far as paint, most painted traps stick out like a sore thumb. What does blend in really well is a trap with a light rust color to it.

Seems true. Unless the rust ends up getting bad enough to wear it hinders the integrity of key components of the trap I suppose

Power washer. If you don't have one the car wash works fine

Even a blind hog finds an acorn once in awhile!

I've never worried about water traps blending in. I guess if you were worried about theft it could make a difference.

If I painted traps, I'd still wax them. Like I said, I boil in dye and wax, sometimes just wax but I don't boil in the dye to get a color on them, it to remove any rust that may have started.

I agree that waxed traps work better.

Truth of the matter is no matter what you use, it's coming off with the first coon you catch!

This trap is from Fur Shed Fabrication (I don't know if that business is still operating, as Josh was trying to sell it). I used it last yr without pretreating it. The rust on it from last year was unbelievable. I just pulled it from vinegar (my 1st time ever using vinegar to clean a trap) & it's pristine. I don't know how long vinegar takes to evaporate, but I'm thinking I'll paint it before this season. This of course is a beaver trap, so scent isn't really an issue. I noticed something that shocked me: I just tried drying it with a paper towel & noticed the springs have a lot of factory oil on 'em. I thought the oil would naturally dissapear after what that trap has been through the past year. This #3 Bridger was loaded with rust, but maybe the springs weren't, I can't remember.

I boil in maple bark or walnut hulls, then wax. conibears just dye. I do it like that cause that's how I was taught but lots of different ways work. just do what you like best.