We al have preffered methods and twists but I am very sure that the archives will give you many examples of better information than what you wrote in your OP

Bryce

I don't pre-rust mine. It is not a requirement.

I have done it the way you described. The main problem I had was that the wax didn’t seem to stick, as in it would flake off easily and expose bare metal. Waxing in a pot with only wax makes for a far better end result. But be sure to allow the trap to come up to temp fully before removing it from the wax.

It is expensive to fill a pot the first time, but you can re-use that wax for quite a few years as long as it doesn’t get contaminated by scent.

Also, no reason to pre-rust them. I just boil them in clean water and then wax. New traps, old traps, all get the same treatment, except sometimes I wash new traps with dawn dish soap to get the bulk of the factory grease off and then boil. I do not use any walnut hills or dye of any kind, just clean water.

Clean water, as what Bob said, is what I rely on.

Maybe it was said but once waxing be sure to use a double boiler system.

Degrease thoroughly.
Rinse thoroughly.
Let a light surface rust form.
Boil in water with walnut hulls.
Let dry completely.
Melt wax in a container as explained above.
Put cardboard on the floor if inside.
Do it outside if at all possible. Wax is flammable and has a flash point that is easily reached.
I use an electric turkey roaster to wax traps. It has a thermostat so the wax does not get too hot to smoke, scorch, or catch fire. The lid helps keep the heat. I bought the fryer at Walmart on sale before Thanksgiving. When finished and completely cool, I put it back in its box and on a shelf.
Follow the suggestions above to not overfill the pot.

I think I have 6 Bridger #2 coil springs, six number one longsprings and plan on getting four more Bridger 1.75. Don't know if I'm boiling the #2s though

I'm sure that my way will be unpopular with some. When I buy new traps, basically mb 550's. I pressure wash them and let them lay in the grass for around a week. They have a small amount of surface rust and then I boil them in logwood dye. I don't wax my traps. Tried it both ways for 12 years and I catch more coyotes 7 to 1 on dyed traps versus waxed traps. I'm not a fan of waxing but I simmer my traps in logwood dye after every catch.

Really, there’s no reason to rust a trap at all. Just degrease a new trap or clean a used trap and wax. Trust me, they will get rusty eventually.

Just going to wax them this year.
I will admit nothing looks nicer than a freshly dyed and waxed trap.
Jim