I wonder if that is what I call tag alder?

Anytime you boil cable, regardless of what you use . . . you run the risk of removing the rust from INSIDE the cable.
It's put there by the manufactures to keep it from rusting.
If you use all the snares in one season, you never notice a problem.
It's when you keep them over to use next year, when you may notice the cable rusting . . .usually around the bends.

If you are boiling cable to remove oil on the OUTSIDE of the cable, you need to find a BETTER supplier.
Ever heard of 'dry cable'? A much better product.

I use wet oak leaves, collected as soon as the start falling.
Rake up a pile and keep them wet.
The tannins will leach out STAINING the cable the color of the leaves.
It does this in blotches of light and dark patterns, appearing very natural and the cable is never boiled.
I've shown this a lot on my face book page.

I boiled cable for over 20 years in baking soda to dull the shine.
I got away from boiling cable altogether, when I learned there wasn't a reason to.
Soaking it over night in vinegar will do the same thing. Take the shine right off. No boiling.

Boiling cable to make it smell like the environment isn't necessary.
Odor doesn't stay on steel.

The problem you COULD have with dips and spray paint is lock performance.
The lock snagging on the dried material causing it to drag or close slower than normal.[/b]