Does anyone know what is added to make black trapping wax? I have ideas but I don't want to add something that might add an off smell.

They have black food color powder I would think can be used to color wax.

What's the advantage of the black wax? If you heat the wax 220+ degrees or so and leave your trap in it until the trap is hot too, it just looks shiny when it drys, such a thin coat that you can't see the wax at all, just whatever color the trap is. Am I missing something?

I have mink traps that have been coated in rusty metal primer and acetone dip. I have a few of those particular traps I want to be black for using in really clear water with a very dark muddy bottom. I have traps that are black, brown, green, camouflage, etc. I was trying to come up with a way to change colors of some really nice mink pan traps if needed. Just thinking of ideas as I have seen black trap wax for sale.

I would think the black crystal trap dye would darken up your wax.

Have ever put traps coated with that in hot wax? I'd try a small batch first.

I also don't think the wax coating would be thick enough if they are done properly to darken the traps hardly at all.

I'd say if they are water traps, I'd just give them a light coat of a darker spray paint over your dip and skip the wax altogether, but if you go through with it, please let us know your results.

I have waxed a lot of traps with the rusty metal primer acetone mixture with no issues. I also wax a lot of water traps. Brackish water will destroy traps. That's why I use the mixture I do on a lot of traps at that is the only thing that holds up. I have one place I trap that if I went the traditional dying and waxing, they would be rusted shut in a couple of days.

Good, at least you know it won't hurt your finish you already have on the traps. I hope the black wax works great for you. It'll be interesting to see the results vs regular wax.

If you are using them underwater for mink, I doubt I'd be concerned about odor.

I’ve always used a pot full of wax to dip my traps in. After all these years the wax is pretty black just from all the dyed traps that have been in the wax. As was mentioned, when properly waxed the coating is so thin that the wax color doesn’t matter.

For water trap protection, I run my traps thru a buddy’s cement mixer with 3/4 inch gravel for 5 minutes. This takes just about everything off. Then I speed dip or spray paint with a flat black or brown paint. Then I use Full Metal Jacket. You can also use other floor waxes, too.

FMJ is said to turn traps a milk-ish white when in the water. I’ve never really seen that happen.

I think most critters are color blind so trap color shouldn't be an issue. Especially under water. And since most critters are nocturnal that would make trap color even less of an issue.

You sir are correct! I have never had any problems with the color of my water traps, I saw black wax for sale, got some ideas and thought I would ask. Your answer was what I ended up saying to myself, so thank you for your answer.

Yes they are colorblind but they do see contrast, while I don't usually worry about covering water traps, I wouldn't set one of my white painted traps for snow sets in the water on a dark bottom. Although most water animals probably wouldn't care.

You can try to hold your hand under the pan under the pan so it doesn't trip and smear mud over the top of the pan with your other hand before bedding them, some mud stays pretty good if you're not setting in much current, some disappears soon as it gets dunked but it's worth a try.