Waxing Traps

[MDCAT]

Used to trap when I was younger; haven't trapped for 25 years.  Getting back into it.  Forgotten a lot and things have changed. Have 50 traps; dyed them in speed dye with coleman fuel.  Dipped them twice about month and a half ago.  Bought a 5 lb.bar of wax, getting ready to wax the traps for the season.  I need to know how hot does the wax have to be, how long should I leave the trap in the wax, and will the speed dye come off the trap when I dip in the wax?

Thanks for any info.
Mike

[cottonjonas]

with the speed dip ya don't need to wax.
 don't think the wax would stick anyhow.
 welcome back to trapping

[MDCAT]

Thanks for your help, I've forgotten a lot.  Appreciate the info. 

Mike

[Bogmaster]

 Cotton is right on.Speed dipping eliminates the need to wax.
 Make sure to scrape the dip from your triggers and dogs.
 Tom

[trappnman]

yes, wax will stay on speed dip.

yes, the dip will bleed off into the wax when waxing, but so will dye.

I cannot tell you the temp for wax, but bring the temp up slowly, until the wax is completely melted, and starts to steam good. Lower traps into wax until completely covered, leave in for 2-3 minutes for traps to reach same temp, then slowly pull out and let drip, shake them a little helps as well. The wax on the traps should be about invisible- if white and thick, wax is too cold.

if using for water or coon.skunk, I wouldn't bother waxing them.

On cnaines, to hide the speed dip smell a little, I would for sure- and next year, forget the dip and dye them.....trappnman

[cottonjonas]

one more thing, ifin ya do wax the traps make dang sure their is not even one drop of water on the traps.
water+hot wax=big ouch

[deadrabbit]

And speed dip them late in the summer instead of early fall so the gas smell is gone if you are land trapping fox/yotes. I learned that the hard way.  That only applies if you are not waxing them, and I quit waxing when I started dipping so it may not apply to you.

[Asa Lenon]

I get the wax hot enough that it is starting to smoke, then dip the traps in and leave them in a bit until the traps are good and hot and then slowly lift the traps out of the wax. If one doesn't let the traps get hot the wax will likely be too thick on the trap.  Asa