nice cat.
degreasing new traps? maybe try running them through the dishwasher in middle of night when the mrs. isn't awake yet? Seriously though, concept is similar in that something of hot water, with any soapy or degreasing agent added in, will cut grease off of new steel. So will a parts cleaning bin with a degreasing agent, but then just clean off the degreasing agent as final step, to get the trap down to bare, clean steel.
As for preservation, protection, and coloration, I have used dips with excellent success myself, as well as the traditional boiling methods. In recent years with drought and finding a suitable location to boil traps without much fear of lighting up a nearby grass field, the dips make more and more sense for me from that standpoint as well. I also agree that the mixing agent such as lantern fuel vs. unleaded gasoline is a huge difference maker in odor and performance of the resulting coverage on the trap. The time allowed for drying and "airing" out is equally important.
