Im just wire brush mine. New ones get boiled in Sani Flush then rinsed Power washed and hung to dry and rust then Walnut Hulls and Sumac berry Dye.

That's what I have been saying.

Yep. I agree with you.

This^^^

I do as needed

So you don’t think that surface rust turns into “thick scaly rust” if left on there?

I dont have any traps with thick scaly rust.....lol

Spot on.
That's why I could never understand why you would purposely rust a trap to get the dye to stick. Makes no sense.

Why put your trap in acid? I've boiled extremely rusty traps, they come out nice. Wax and you prevent rusting until you make a catch at least.

Vinegar may be an acid but It's a very mild acid and when cut with water It won't harm the metal In your traps. But It sure makes old pitted rusty traps look like new.
A gallon of vinegar a gallon of water In a 5 gallon bucket what could be easier.

I don't, personally. But they do rust after catching that first coon. New traps can be cleaned various ways and just waxed. Who wants old traps to shine anyway? I want them to blend in. If the choice is rusty or shiny ill go with rusty. Anyway, real dyes like tree bark clean any trap up nice if boiled.
Body grips are painted . But whatever works for you.

Not before I dip or dye them, no. They are inside during the off-season, not laying out in the mud.

Do they still sell wire brushes?

The old rusty traps shine after removing the rust then you dip paint or what ever you use to coat them. But I bet you knew that.

Do they still sell wire brushes?

Sure they do but working smarter versus working harder works for me.

They take paint better with a little rust.

Do they rust a new car before painting? LOL
A good primer works better then regular paint on new non rusted traps.