Trap rust removal

[Doc]

Any suggestions for full or partial removal of surface rust on traps?

[G-Man]

Wire brush, boil and dye...

[fishuntrapper]

no need to remove a little surface rust, as that will allow the trap to take the die better. you dont want flaking rust. i use a glass beader/sand blaster to remove heavy rust. if that is not available then its a hand held wire brush. good luck

[HOUNDS77]

Let them soak in a water/vinegar solution

[tughillhunter]

If you know somebody with a blast cabinet, thats the best fix right there.

[mike rossi]

Bury them in a bucket of mud, the blacker the better, for a few days or a week.

[wdswtr]

cement mixer full of sand, throw in some traps and let her rip!

[mike rossi]

Did you try what I said?

[Doc]

Did you try what I said?

I haven't tried anything yet. This is a future "rainy-day" project. I'm in the information gathering mode right now. Eventually, I might be interested in selling my traps, and looking on the internet, the best prices are coming from the ones that have a little of the real steel showing through. I know these traps are still functionally good, but people equate rust with lack of quality. I want to get rid of that impression, and perhaps get a better dollar when I do decide to sell.

[G-Man]

A good dye job on them is the best, victors go for the best $, double coils prefered over long spring. any trapper would buy them rusty or not as long as its surface rust, no pitting. always keep a few to get rid of unwanted critters around the house.

[landtracdeerhunter]

Let us know what works the best Doc. I'm getting mine out of storage to, but to use. With this new coating they have today, they say u don't have to boil them. Mix with white or unleaded gasoline. Leaves a nice flat black finish, when dry.

Edited December 6, 2012 by landtracdeerhunter

[mike rossi]

Not only will this remove the rust, but if you leave it longer, it will blacken them, just like the logwood dye treatments.