rustolem acetone mix air dried then fmj over that -will their nose know ? - I know most have told me logwood and wax but I may try paint on a few and experience on WOLF TRAPS ONLY appreciated tia

I've caught a wolf or two or three in my coyote traps. All my yote and wolf traps are painted ( dipped in Rust-Oleum/acetone ), aired out for a couple of weeks followed up with two coats of Zep's floor polish and stored with tamarack and spruce bows. Doesn't seem to bother them, they still get themselves caught.

Most of mine are painted white. Give them plenty of time to air out after painting and they will be fine. I prefer dye for dark traps, but about the only option for white is paint or powder coat. Powder coat is nicer, but you either have to pay quite a bit per trap or get yourself a powder coat gun and oven (which I plan to do this summer).

if it matters these are brand new traps

That's a good thing, no rust to deal with, or wax, just clean the grease off them and paint them.

what can be used besides acetone to thin it out ? will paint thinner or lacquer thinner work ?

Several solvents can be used to thin oil based paints and for cleaning up paints. There is always a trade off between product cost vs effectiveness (including odor carry over). Acetone has been found to be one of the best compromises and effective by frugal trappers and it's readily available just about everywhere including Walmart.

Here is a link to solvents for paint which may provide some information to answer the question.

There not that bright, I treat my traps all the same once every 3 years I dye my traps to take care of them it s for the traps not for the coyote or the wolf I set bare handed unless its cold because I'm a puss and 67 years old scent is last thing on my list worries

where on MT? Im in NW corner