rusty rat stretchers

[TRAPPERBILL]

I have some rusty wire stretchers and was wondering if its ok to dye them or use trap dip on them

[trappnman]

yes- I'd take a piece of sand paper, and sand them off, then dip. Its exactly what I've done to rat stretchers in the past

Bob- I cannot believe we forgot about those stretchers- I'll still take a box full

[NittanyLion]

I clean mine by running them over a wire brush wheel on my bench grinder.

[thebeav2]

I'm with the Lion on this one. Steel wool will also work If the rust Isn't to heavy. Then a coating of WD40 and your good to go.

I've seen some dip jobs on traps I would sure hate to have It on my stretchers.

Use WOOD and you won't ever have rust problems.

[Steve Gappa]

WD 40 might work on rats- but I'll flat on guarantee you keep it off coyote stretchers. you cannot wipe it clean enough. I've used steel wool- and it works ok but more of a mess than a folded piece of sandpaper. And takes but a sec or two.

dip works fine, have had it on for years, no problems.

[jbconnected]

FWIW, Vandykes has a cleaner made for pelts called Eliminator. It works well with light rust on guns. I don't use wire stretchers so I can't say how well it will work on them but it won't harm the hide.

Just thought I would throw that out there.

[trappnman]

WD -40 is a super cleaner- we used it a lot to clean up slight marks on diploma covers, and it works very well for taking blood, etc off pelts.

But when you wipe it on a stretcher, you have to make sure you get every little bit of it off, or it stains the pelt and while it will come off, its more work than I like.

[robertw]

I definitely would stay away from any of the asphalt based dips on your stretchers.

[FWS]

I had a bunch of rusted gray fox stretchers I rehabbed. I bead blasted them and then painted with some leftover anti fouling epoxy paint we use on the boat bottom. Super tough stuff.

[TRAPPERBILL]

Thanks guys for the info. good tips

[northof50]

I believe that if the rust is left on and when it touches the wet skin/ bacteria/rust spots make for areas that tanning does not take well. If a grader picks this up they could be down-graded to dammage. So it is best to clean them good. One good rat going to damaged is the cost of a strecher almost.

[Gibb]

Rust on stretchers that are used for fur out animals such as coyotes and cats are a big problem. Northof50 is right on about the problem when dressing the skins.

That is why we do not recommend wire for fur out skins.

Any rust marks whatsoever on the leather will be graded as bad damaged.
Cheers Jim

[trapperdog]

You can clean with steel wool or sand paper as beav described.When you have them clean take some steel wool and rub it on a block of canning wax,then rub the steelwool w/wax on the stretchers.The wax will get applied to the metal in a very thin coat making them shiny and rust proof.Don't remember who told me this tip but it works well.

[northof50]

Reminds me when working in the historic fur trade era, in the blacksmith shop, after forging anything that was finished would put into (hot) a pail of animal fat (cirsco) and have a finished coat of blackened metal, which would never rust until scratched. My old chemistry is rusty; but I believe the Fe combines with the hydroxide of the Carbon of the animal fat, so the Fe++ is not available to rust. That's why when it gets on a hair the tanning salts can not work.
Rusty stretchers make great ornaments in the flower garden........FOR THE COST GET RID OF THEM.