Author Topic: Rusting Traps (Read 1096 times)

Coniboy · « **on:** September 13, 2003, 01:23:42 PM »

What is the methods to rust traps to get them ready for speed dip?

Wackyquacker · « **Reply #1 on:** September 13, 2003, 04:07:09 PM »

New traps I boil in degreaser / detergent or lye. I dip in dilute muratic acid to neutrallize the "soaps". Now I don't live in an area with much humidity, therefore I soak the traps in Chlorox and salt or dilute muratic acid and salt. This soak releases the mill slag form the steel ( the hard black surface coating). I hang the traps, rinse good with a hose and they rust hard in a couple days time. Please note I said dilute muratic acid 1 cup per 3 too 5 gals. This concentration won't harm you, short of getting it in your eyes; you should be wearing glasses.

If you live in an area with humidity your traps should rust quickly once you have removed the oil. However, I've found that I don't get a good pitting rust until the mill slag is off. An even rust opens the surface of the metal and the dip binds much better. I use the highest dilution of dip recomended and I dip on hot days to get a even thin coating.

For old traps I boil in lye or detergent rinse and hang.

RdFx · « **Reply #2 on:** September 14, 2003, 01:20:09 AM »

What Wacky said is good advise for getting traps ready for dipping. Another way you can use is use Iron Out if you dont have brand new traps and they have a light coat of rust. This is if you dont want to use muriatic acid and dont have a way to boil traps. Iron Out is a brand name product for removing rust from water conditioners and whiting clothes in washing. I use one cup per two gallons water. Leave traps in for awhile (3 to 6 hours) and pull out and rinse good with hose. After let dry good you can dip. Good luck trapping.

Wackyquacker · « **Reply #3 on:** September 14, 2003, 03:18:35 AM »

That Iron Out stuff, is it phosphonic acid? We have another product around here called Lime Away and there ie CDR, never thought to use them. Any acid will get things going pretty fast, hell vinegar will work only slower.

Coniboy · « **Reply #4 on:** September 14, 2003, 05:58:17 AM »

I was told that you should boil your traps on the stove.The soak them in the bath tub in hot water with dish soap and soak them with vinagar and water.I don't know if this will work but just making sure before I try anything because I don't want to reck my traps.Also where can I get mutric acid?

RdFx · « **Reply #5 on:** September 14, 2003, 06:17:39 AM »

You can clean yr traps anywhere! It just depends on what is available to you. You can clean yr traps in a dish washer (if you can get away with it)! You can take yr traps to a personal car wash and soap em and rinse them. If you have a propane set up you can boil traps in lye or detergent and then rinse off with hose and then either dye and wax. I have a propane set up with 55 gallon drums cut in 3/4 lengthwise and do my traps that way. I have seperate drums for boiling and dying traps plus a seperate set up for waxing traps in pure wax.
You can boil yr traps on stove and then mist them with pure vinegar or put vinegar in pail diluted with water and dunk traps in; leave for awhile then take out set on grass and put a wet bag or cloth over them or just hang up somewhere and they will rust and you can either dye or dip them. Make sure yr traps are adjusted first before dying or dipping and waxing.

Tim B · « **Reply #6 on:** September 15, 2003, 07:35:45 AM »

I like the degreaser at the car wash for new traps...then a couple weeks outside and there rusted enough to dye. Its quick and easy.
Tim B