no waxing or dying

[model 70]

just got myself a #2 coil-spring trap to catch a pesky coyote out of a friends land and didn't wax or dye it. here's what i did:

sprayed it down with brake parts cleaner. you know, the no residue, fast evaporating stuff. then i spray painted it a rust brown color so it won't actually rust. perhaps if i burry it in the ground for a couple weeks, the paint odor will have faded away.

did i ruin this trap or what?

[justwannano]

No you didn't ruin it.
I don't think I'd have used the brake cleaner though. Lots of stuff will take off the oil. Vinegar for instance. Also dish soap.
Lots of folks paint their traps.
I'd hang it outside in the elements though instead of burying it. To get rid of the paint smell the paint needs to outgas. Even though it seems dry it will outgas for quite a while. Can't do that buried.

For you guys thinking of painting traps now is the time to do it for next trapping season. Paint em white for snow trapping.