When I boil traps i always heard to let them get rusty boil them with walnuts and pine leaves then throw in the wax and pull it up through the wax. Does anyone do it like this?

If ya scroll down on the main forum page there’s a whole lotta archived info down there.
I just used logwood trap die. The last time I tried pulling slowly outta the water with wax on top it didn’t turn out good, spotty. Seemed to work good the first time though.

No. IMO: Dragging a wet trap thru wax only seals the water against the steel, allowing more rust to form, and possably allowing the wax to slough off.

I also use log wood dye but have used walnut hulls several times. I never rusted them, don't want rust on my traps.

As for wax, I always do that separate after they dry good.

How would you apply the wax i don't wanna put it in a container because you need more amounts of wax and I'm on a budget?

This

Spray the traps with a hose when they come out of dye you don’t want that loose crap in your wax.Also dry traps before waxing to reduce spatter.

Ok but do I put in a different container then dip them in that or put the wax in the lot after I take my traps out and dip them from the top?

Separate container with only wax in it.

Dye and wax separately, I would never try to melt wax on top of water and pull the trap through. Traps should be dry when waxed. I always liked a thin coating of wax, I obtained that by letting the trap in the wax until the trap was as hot as the wax. Make sure the wax is hot enough.

Then don't bother waxing them until you can afford to do it properly.You can catch animals in un waxed traps.

Nope Dye first, than I wax. Seperate pot for Each.

Ok I will dip it in a separate post of wax after I dye it. Thanks for the help. (How far does a pound of wax go?)

I have traps that I dyed then waxed by pulling through the wax on top of boiling water that I did 5 years ago. They are in a tote because I don't use them anymore. No visible rust on them. You could take them out and use them right now.

If you use the Walnut or tree bark, put it in an old tee shirt tie off the openings so the loose stuff stays away from the traps and they then come out clean but darkened. Or use the log wood dye.....jk

I picked my wax pot up at a yard sale for a dollar or two, I forget now but it was cheap...and had a lid to keep dust out when not in use.

It takes extra wax on initial fill but after that no more than to top it off. Like Nittany Lion said, let your traps in until they warm up so the wax isn't real thick on them.
I hang the end of the chain over the edge of my pot and when the wax wicks up the chain, I know they're hot enough.

The trick to using the least amount of wax, dip, or even formula 1. Which I have some trap coated with all three types coating. Is to find a tall narrow container that what ever size trap you are using just fits. Then you only need enough to wax or dip to cover the trap, and tall enough pot. To not run the pot over when you put the trap in. Think like the pot they fry turkey in only not as big around. The old time cream cans would work if you can find one. If you don't get what I mean by tall and narrow. Goggle how candles are made. They dip most them in tall narrow container. I use and made mine from old stainless steel pressurized water fire extinguishers. I cut them off at the top shoulder and they make nice tall can.
Also
You never said what you intended to trap or how many traps you were looking to dye/wax. I knew more than one old timer that never waxed or even dyed their water traps. Pretty much set right out of the box.

Mac

Wax them in as small of pot as you get your dried, dyed, traps completely submerged in the hot wax. You can do them one at a time in a pretty small pot. Heat your wax to about 250 degrees (I use a candy thermometer) so as not to scorch it. Then dip your trap in the wax and leave it in the wax until it is the same temp as the wax, like 2-3 min. Slowly raise the trap out of the wax and let it drip back in the pot. Once it stops dripping, give it a little shake to get any excess off. You shouldn't see any white wax on the trap once it's dry. It'll just look wet and shiny. This is the best way to wax them with as little wax as possible. You'll probably need 3 lbs of wax to get it deep enough and may need to add another pound after dipping a lot of traps to keep the depth you need. Keep a lid handy, it is flammable. You can also save your wax and reuse it for years if you keep it covered.

I plan on getting more traps by that point I should have about 18 traps how many pounds of wax do you think I'll need?

What size are your traps? You could get by with two pounds if they are 1 1/2 coils and you use a tin can or pot just big enough to fit one trap.