There are a lot of different opinions on that topic. This is how I do mine. With new traps like you have run them through the dishwasher then hang them outside to dry. They will get a very light coat of rust which is what you want. Dye won't adhere to them with the oily coating from the factory, nor will it adhere to raw metal. The light rust is what holds the dye. I used to boil mine in walnut hulls, then in logwood dye and finally wax them. This is a lot of work and needs to be done outside. Now I just use the newer dips that you mix with gasoline. I prefer Stoes but they all work. They will dye the trap and there is no need to wax with these new dyes. You just dip them and hang them outside to dry, takes just a few seconds and works great. The traps won't rust even if you are salting the ground, which is a non issue in Florida. If you get a catch and the dye comes off the trap can be re-done and ready to go in a couple of days.