diff --git a/chaco/abstract_data_source.py b/chaco/abstract_data_source.py
index 426872043..0cfb7c21d 100644
--- a/chaco/abstract_data_source.py
+++ b/chaco/abstract_data_source.py
@@ -26,12 +26,12 @@ class AbstractDataSource(HasTraits):
     #: The dimensionality of the value at each index point.
     #: Subclasses re-declare this trait as a read-only trait with
     #: the right default value.
-    value_dimension = DimensionTrait
+    value_dimension = DimensionTrait(transient=True)
 
     #: The dimensionality of the indices into this data source.
     #: Subclasses re-declare this trait as a read-only trait with
     #: the right default value.
-    index_dimension = DimensionTrait
+    index_dimension = DimensionTrait(transient=True)
 
     #: A dictionary keyed on strings.  In general, it maps to indices (or tuples
     #: of indices, depending on **value_dimension**), as in the case of
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ class AbstractDataSource(HasTraits):
 
     #: Should the data that this datasource refers to be serialized when
     #: the datasource is serialized?
-    persist_data = Bool(True)
+    persist_data = Bool(True, transient=True)
 
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # Abstract methods
@@ -118,13 +118,3 @@ def get_bounds(self):
 
     def _metadata_default(self):
         return {"selections": [], "annotations": []}
-
-    def __getstate__(self):
-        state = super(AbstractDataSource, self).__getstate__()
-
-        # everything but 'metadata'
-        for key in ["value_dimension", "index_dimension", "persist_data"]:
-            if key in state:
-                del state[key]
-
-        return state
diff --git a/chaco/abstract_mapper.py b/chaco/abstract_mapper.py
index d4ff84da7..e7d765fb6 100644
--- a/chaco/abstract_mapper.py
+++ b/chaco/abstract_mapper.py
@@ -49,13 +49,6 @@ def map_data_array(self, screen_vals):
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # Persistence-related methods
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
-    def __getstate__(self):
-        state = super(AbstractMapper, self).__getstate__()
-        for key in ["_cache_valid"]:
-            if key in state:
-                del state[key]
-
-        return state
 
     def _post_load(self):
         self._cache_valid = False
diff --git a/chaco/array_data_source.py b/chaco/array_data_source.py
index 37c6ce404..19858c428 100644
--- a/chaco/array_data_source.py
+++ b/chaco/array_data_source.py
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ def _metadata_items_changed(self, event):
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     def __getstate__(self):
-        state = self.__dict__.copy()
+        state = super(ArrayDataSource, self).__getstate__()
         if not self.persist_data:
             state.pop("_data", None)
             state.pop("_cached_mask", None)
diff --git a/chaco/axis.py b/chaco/axis.py
index 97b79db53..3d4b43936 100644
--- a/chaco/axis.py
+++ b/chaco/axis.py
@@ -177,24 +177,24 @@ class PlotAxis(AbstractOverlay):
 
     # Cached position calculations
 
-    _tick_list = List  # These are caches of their respective positions
-    _tick_positions = ArrayOrNone()
-    _tick_label_list = ArrayOrNone()
-    _tick_label_positions = ArrayOrNone()
-    _tick_label_bounding_boxes = List
-    _major_axis_size = Float
-    _minor_axis_size = Float
-    _major_axis = Array
-    _title_orientation = Array
-    _title_angle = Float
-    _origin_point = Array
-    _inside_vector = Array
-    _axis_vector = Array
-    _axis_pixel_vector = Array
-    _end_axis_point = Array
-
-    ticklabel_cache = List
-    _cache_valid = Bool(False)
+    _tick_list = List(transient=True)  # These are caches of their respective positions
+    _tick_positions = ArrayOrNone(transient=True)
+    _tick_label_list = ArrayOrNone(transient=True)
+    _tick_label_positions = ArrayOrNone(transient=True)
+    _tick_label_bounding_boxes = List(transient=True)
+    _major_axis_size = Float(transient=True)
+    _minor_axis_size = Float(transient=True)
+    _major_axis = Array(transient=True)
+    _title_orientation = Array(transient=True)
+    _title_angle = Float(transient=True)
+    _origin_point = Array(transient=True)
+    _inside_vector = Array(transient=True)
+    _axis_vector = Array(transient=True)
+    _axis_pixel_vector = Array(transient=True)
+    _end_axis_point = Array(transient=True)
+
+    ticklabel_cache = List(transient=True)
+    _cache_valid = Bool(False, transient=True)
 
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # Public methods
@@ -831,34 +831,6 @@ def _title_angle_default(self):
     # Persistence-related methods
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-    def __getstate__(self):
-        dont_pickle = [
-            "_tick_list",
-            "_tick_positions",
-            "_tick_label_list",
-            "_tick_label_positions",
-            "_tick_label_bounding_boxes",
-            "_major_axis_size",
-            "_minor_axis_size",
-            "_major_axis",
-            "_title_orientation",
-            "_title_angle",
-            "_origin_point",
-            "_inside_vector",
-            "_axis_vector",
-            "_axis_pixel_vector",
-            "_end_axis_point",
-            "_ticklabel_cache",
-            "_cache_valid",
-        ]
-
-        state = super(PlotAxis, self).__getstate__()
-        for key in dont_pickle:
-            if key in state:
-                del state[key]
-
-        return state
-
     def __setstate__(self, state):
         super(PlotAxis, self).__setstate__(state)
         self._mapper_changed(None, self.mapper)
diff --git a/chaco/base_1d_mapper.py b/chaco/base_1d_mapper.py
index af62f3efa..ff4fc0ace 100644
--- a/chaco/base_1d_mapper.py
+++ b/chaco/base_1d_mapper.py
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ class Base1DMapper(AbstractMapper):
 
     # If the subclass uses a cache, _cache_valid is maintained to
     # monitor its status
-    _cache_valid = Bool(False)
+    _cache_valid = Bool(False, transient=True)
 
     # Indicates whether or not the bounds have been set at all, or if they
     # are at their initial default values.
diff --git a/chaco/base_1d_plot.py b/chaco/base_1d_plot.py
index 18932eff3..71315f698 100644
--- a/chaco/base_1d_plot.py
+++ b/chaco/base_1d_plot.py
@@ -64,22 +64,22 @@ class Base1DPlot(AbstractPlotRenderer):
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     #: flag whether the data cache is valid
-    _cache_valid = Bool(False)
+    _cache_valid = Bool(False, transient=True)
 
     #: cache of the index values in data space
-    _cached_data = Any()
+    _cached_data = Any(transient=True)
 
     #: cache of the sorted index values in data space
-    _cached_data_pts_sorted = Any()
+    _cached_data_pts_sorted = Any(transient=True)
 
     #: cache of the sorted indices of the index values
-    _cached_data_argsort = Any()
+    _cached_data_argsort = Any(transient=True)
 
     #: flag whether the screen coordinates are valid
-    _screen_cache_valid = Bool(False)
+    _screen_cache_valid = Bool(False, transient=True)
 
     #: cache holding the screen coordinates of the index values
-    _cached_screen_pts = Any()
+    _cached_screen_pts = Any(transient=True)
 
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # AbstractPlotRenderer interface
diff --git a/chaco/base_contour_plot.py b/chaco/base_contour_plot.py
index 800f220c7..c2181f8ee 100644
--- a/chaco/base_contour_plot.py
+++ b/chaco/base_contour_plot.py
@@ -54,10 +54,10 @@ class BaseContourPlot(Base2DPlot):
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     # Is the cached level data valid?
-    _level_cache_valid = Bool(False)
+    _level_cache_valid = Bool(False, transient=True)
 
     # Is the cached color data valid?
-    _colors_cache_valid = Bool(False)
+    _colors_cache_valid = Bool(False, transient=True)
 
     # List of levels and their associated line properties.
     _levels = List
diff --git a/chaco/base_plot_frame.py b/chaco/base_plot_frame.py
index 33c5f746f..aadaf3010 100644
--- a/chaco/base_plot_frame.py
+++ b/chaco/base_plot_frame.py
@@ -154,7 +154,6 @@ def __setattr__(self, name, value):
             super(BasePlotFrame, self).__setattr__(name, value)
 
     ### Persistence ###########################################################
-    #    _pickles = ("_frame_slots", "_components", "fit_components", "fit_window")
 
     def post_load(self, path=None):
         super(BasePlotFrame, self).post_load(path)
diff --git a/chaco/base_xy_plot.py b/chaco/base_xy_plot.py
index d39351c09..cfe77b4f4 100644
--- a/chaco/base_xy_plot.py
+++ b/chaco/base_xy_plot.py
@@ -121,18 +121,18 @@ class BaseXYPlot(AbstractPlotRenderer):
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     # Are the cache traits valid? If False, new ones need to be compute.
-    _cache_valid = Bool(False)
+    _cache_valid = Bool(False, transient=True)
 
     # Cached array of (x,y) data-space points; regardless of self.orientation,
     # these points are always stored as (index_pt, value_pt).
-    _cached_data_pts = Array
+    _cached_data_pts = Array(transient=True)
 
     # Cached array of (x,y) screen-space points.
-    _cached_screen_pts = Array
+    _cached_screen_pts = Array(transient=True)
 
     # Does **_cached_screen_pts** contain the screen-space coordinates
     # of the points currently in **_cached_data_pts**?
-    _screen_cache_valid = Bool(False)
+    _screen_cache_valid = Bool(False, transient=True)
 
     # Reference to a spatial subdivision acceleration structure.
     _subdivision = Any
@@ -721,19 +721,6 @@ def _use_subdivision_changed(self, old, new):
     # Persistence
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-    def __getstate__(self):
-        state = super(BaseXYPlot, self).__getstate__()
-        for key in [
-            "_cache_valid",
-            "_cached_data_pts",
-            "_screen_cache_valid",
-            "_cached_screen_pts",
-        ]:
-            if key in state:
-                del state[key]
-
-        return state
-
     def __setstate__(self, state):
         super(BaseXYPlot, self).__setstate__(state)
         if self.index is not None:
diff --git a/chaco/cmap_image_plot.py b/chaco/cmap_image_plot.py
index 69e36742f..8306d9378 100644
--- a/chaco/cmap_image_plot.py
+++ b/chaco/cmap_image_plot.py
@@ -52,10 +52,10 @@ class CMapImagePlot(ImagePlot):
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     # Is the mapped image valid?
-    _mapped_image_cache_valid = Bool(False)
+    _mapped_image_cache_valid = Bool(False, transient=True)
 
     # Cache of the fully mapped RGB(A) image.
-    _cached_mapped_image = Any
+    _cached_mapped_image = Any(transient=True)
 
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # Public methods
diff --git a/chaco/contour_line_plot.py b/chaco/contour_line_plot.py
index 7851cd792..fc9ccb767 100644
--- a/chaco/contour_line_plot.py
+++ b/chaco/contour_line_plot.py
@@ -46,16 +46,16 @@ class ContourLinePlot(BaseContourPlot):
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     # Are the cached contours valid? If False, new ones need to be computed.
-    _contour_cache_valid = Bool(False)
+    _contour_cache_valid = Bool(False, transient=True)
 
     # Cached collection of traces.
-    _cached_contours = Dict
+    _cached_contours = Dict(transient=True)
 
     # Is the cached width data valid?
-    _widths_cache_valid = Bool(False)
+    _widths_cache_valid = Bool(False, transient=True)
 
     # Is the cached style data valid?
-    _styles_cache_valid = Bool(False)
+    _styles_cache_valid = Bool(False, transient=True)
 
     # Cached list of line widths
     _widths = List
diff --git a/chaco/contour_poly_plot.py b/chaco/contour_poly_plot.py
index df6c7edb9..9b82f31bf 100644
--- a/chaco/contour_poly_plot.py
+++ b/chaco/contour_poly_plot.py
@@ -24,10 +24,10 @@ class ContourPolyPlot(BaseContourPlot):
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     # Are the cached contours valid? If False, new ones need to be computed.
-    _poly_cache_valid = Bool(False)
+    _poly_cache_valid = Bool(False, transient=True)
 
     # Cached collection of traces.
-    _cached_polys = Dict
+    _cached_polys = Dict(transient=True)
 
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # Private methods
diff --git a/chaco/cross_plot_frame.py b/chaco/cross_plot_frame.py
index 366cc99fe..9c0530fd9 100644
--- a/chaco/cross_plot_frame.py
+++ b/chaco/cross_plot_frame.py
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ class CrossPlotFrame(BasePlotFrame):
     bottom_height = Float(50.0)
 
     # Does the component need to do a layout call?
-    _layout_needed = Bool(True)
+    _layout_needed = Bool(True, transient=True)
 
     def __init__(self, **kwtraits):
         bounds = kwtraits.pop("bounds", list(self.default_bounds))
@@ -152,15 +152,3 @@ def _do_layout(self):
                 if "v" not in slot.resizable:
                     slot.outer_height = preferred_size[1]
                 slot.do_layout()
-
-    ### Persistence ###########################################################
-
-    # _pickles = ("left_width", "right_width", "top_height", "bottom_height")
-
-    def __getstate__(self):
-        state = super(CrossPlotFrame, self).__getstate__()
-        for key in ["_layout_needed"]:
-            if key in state:
-                del state[key]
-
-        return state
diff --git a/chaco/grid.py b/chaco/grid.py
index a1274eb7a..9ce504057 100644
--- a/chaco/grid.py
+++ b/chaco/grid.py
@@ -164,13 +164,13 @@ class PlotGrid(AbstractOverlay):
     # Private traits; mostly cached information
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-    _cache_valid = Bool(False)
-    _tick_list = Any
-    _tick_positions = Any
+    _cache_valid = Bool(False, transient=True)
+    _tick_list = Any(transient=True)
+    _tick_positions = Any(transient=True)
 
     # An array (N,2) of start,end positions in the transverse direction
     # i.e. the direction corresponding to self.orientation
-    _tick_extents = Any
+    _tick_extents = Any(transient=True)
 
     # _length = Float(0.0)
 
@@ -444,19 +444,6 @@ def _orientation_changed(self):
 
     ### Persistence ###########################################################
 
-    def __getstate__(self):
-        state = super(PlotGrid, self).__getstate__()
-        for key in [
-            "_cache_valid",
-            "_tick_list",
-            "_tick_positions",
-            "_tick_extents",
-        ]:
-            if key in state:
-                del state[key]
-
-        return state
-
     def _post_load(self):
         super(PlotGrid, self)._post_load()
         self._mapper_changed(None, self.mapper)
diff --git a/chaco/image_data.py b/chaco/image_data.py
index 8f3025c75..dbf8842d0 100644
--- a/chaco/image_data.py
+++ b/chaco/image_data.py
@@ -71,10 +71,10 @@ class ImageData(AbstractDataSource):
     _data = ImageTrait
 
     # Is the bounds cache valid? If False, it needs to be computed.
-    _bounds_cache_valid = Bool(False)
+    _bounds_cache_valid = Bool(False, transient=True)
 
     # Cached value of min and max as long as **data** doesn't change.
-    _bounds_cache = Tuple
+    _bounds_cache = Tuple(transient=True)
 
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # Public methods
diff --git a/chaco/image_plot.py b/chaco/image_plot.py
index b8c33b336..7131d1843 100644
--- a/chaco/image_plot.py
+++ b/chaco/image_plot.py
@@ -76,14 +76,14 @@ class ImagePlot(Base2DPlot):
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     # Are the cache traits valid? If False, new ones need to be computed.
-    _image_cache_valid = Bool(False)
+    _image_cache_valid = Bool(False, transient=True)
 
     # Cached image of the bmp data (not the bmp data in self.data.value).
-    _cached_image = Instance(GraphicsContextArray)
+    _cached_image = Instance(GraphicsContextArray, transient=True)
 
     # Tuple-defined rectangle (x, y, dx, dy) in screen space in which the
     # **_cached_image** is to be drawn.
-    _cached_dest_rect = Either(Tuple, List)
+    _cached_dest_rect = Either(Tuple, List, transient=True)
 
     # Bool indicating whether the origin is top-left or bottom-right.
     # The name "principal diagonal" is borrowed from linear algebra.
diff --git a/chaco/label.py b/chaco/label.py
index ce1a7fbed..19b4ed9f3 100644
--- a/chaco/label.py
+++ b/chaco/label.py
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ class Label(HasTraits):
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     _bounding_box = List()
-    _position_cache_valid = Bool(False)
+    _position_cache_valid = Bool(False, transient=True)
     _text_needs_fitting = Bool(False)
     _line_xpos = Any()
     _line_ypos = Any()
diff --git a/chaco/lineplot.py b/chaco/lineplot.py
index 2c0953d24..6a7861521 100644
--- a/chaco/lineplot.py
+++ b/chaco/lineplot.py
@@ -433,14 +433,6 @@ def _downsample_vectorized(self):
         d = z[:, 0] + z[:, 1]
         # ... TODO ...
 
-    def __getstate__(self):
-        state = super(LinePlot, self).__getstate__()
-        for key in ["traits_view"]:
-            if key in state:
-                del state[key]
-
-        return state
-
     @cached_property
     def _get_effective_color(self):
         alpha = self.color_[-1] if len(self.color_) == 4 else 1
diff --git a/chaco/multi_line_plot.py b/chaco/multi_line_plot.py
index 8a95357dc..6b47476e4 100644
--- a/chaco/multi_line_plot.py
+++ b/chaco/multi_line_plot.py
@@ -512,11 +512,3 @@ def _amplitude_changed(self):
         self.value.data_changed = True
         self.invalidate_draw()
         self.request_redraw()
-
-    def __getstate__(self):
-        state = super(MultiLinePlot, self).__getstate__()
-        for key in ["traits_view"]:
-            if key in state:
-                del state[key]
-
-        return state
diff --git a/chaco/plot_containers.py b/chaco/plot_containers.py
index 41b288ed1..7b8bcada7 100644
--- a/chaco/plot_containers.py
+++ b/chaco/plot_containers.py
@@ -113,10 +113,10 @@ class StackedPlotContainer(BasePlotContainer):
 
     # The dimension along which to stack components that are added to
     # this container.
-    stack_dimension = Enum("h", "v")
+    stack_dimension = Enum("h", "v", transient=True)
 
     # The "other" dimension, i.e., the dual of the stack dimension.
-    other_dimension = Enum("v", "h")
+    other_dimension = Enum("v", "h", transient=True)
 
     # The index into obj.position and obj.bounds that corresponds to
     # **stack_dimension**.  This is a class-level and not an instance-level
@@ -281,9 +281,8 @@ def _do_stack_layout(self, components, align):
     # PICKLE FIXME: blocked with _pickles, but not sure that was correct.
     def __getstate__(self):
         state = super(StackedPlotContainer, self).__getstate__()
-        for key in ["stack_dimension", "other_dimension", "stack_index"]:
-            if key in state:
-                del state[key]
+        if "stack_index" in state:
+            del state["stack_index"]
         return state
 
 
@@ -306,7 +305,7 @@ class HPlotContainer(StackedPlotContainer):
     #: The vertical alignment of objects that don't span the full height.
     valign = Enum("bottom", "top", "center")
 
-    _cached_preferred_size = Tuple
+    _cached_preferred_size = Tuple(transient=True)
 
     def _do_layout(self):
         """Actually performs a layout (called by do_layout())."""
@@ -324,15 +323,6 @@ def _do_layout(self):
 
         return self._do_stack_layout(components, align)
 
-    ### Persistence ###########################################################
-
-    def __getstate__(self):
-        state = super(HPlotContainer, self).__getstate__()
-        for key in ["_cached_preferred_size"]:
-            if key in state:
-                del state[key]
-        return state
-
 
 class VPlotContainer(StackedPlotContainer):
     """
diff --git a/chaco/scatterplot.py b/chaco/scatterplot.py
index 5c5058fdf..5a3001d42 100644
--- a/chaco/scatterplot.py
+++ b/chaco/scatterplot.py
@@ -271,11 +271,11 @@ class ScatterPlot(BaseXYPlot):
     # Private traits
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-    _cached_selected_pts = ArrayOrNone
-    _cached_selected_screen_pts = Array
-    _cached_point_mask = Array
-    _cached_selection_point_mask = Array
-    _selection_cache_valid = Bool(False)
+    _cached_selected_pts = ArrayOrNone(transient=True)
+    _cached_selected_screen_pts = Array(transient=True)
+    _cached_point_mask = Array(transient=True)
+    _cached_selection_point_mask = Array(transient=True)
+    _selection_cache_valid = Bool(False, transient=True)
 
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # Overridden PlotRenderer methods
diff --git a/chaco/simple_plot_frame.py b/chaco/simple_plot_frame.py
index 2ebc6a2a9..836591c5f 100644
--- a/chaco/simple_plot_frame.py
+++ b/chaco/simple_plot_frame.py
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ class SimplePlotFrame(BasePlotFrame):
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     # Does the component need to do a layout call?
-    _layout_needed = Bool(True)
+    _layout_needed = Bool(True, transient=True)
 
     def __init__(self, **kwtraits):
         # Delay setting the bounds until after base class initialization
@@ -128,14 +128,3 @@ def _do_layout(self):
 
         component.outer_position = [0, 0]
         component.do_layout()
-
-    ### Persistence ###########################################################
-    # _pickles = ()
-
-    def __getstate__(self):
-        state = super(SimplePlotFrame, self).__getstate__()
-        for key in ["_layout_needed"]:
-            if key in state:
-                del state[key]
-
-        return state
diff --git a/chaco/tests/test_arraydatasource.py b/chaco/tests/test_arraydatasource.py
index ef25f2ce8..42fecc730 100644
--- a/chaco/tests/test_arraydatasource.py
+++ b/chaco/tests/test_arraydatasource.py
@@ -231,8 +231,15 @@ def test_serialization_state(self):
         self.assertNotIn("value_dimension", state)
         self.assertNotIn("index_dimension", state)
         self.assertNotIn("persist_data", state)
+        for key in [
+            "_data",
+            "_cached_mask",
+            "_cached_bounds",
+            "_min_index",
+            "_max_index",
+        ]:
+            self.assertIn(key, state)
 
-    @unittest.skip("persist_data probably shouldn't be persisted")
     def test_serialization_state_no_persist(self):
         self.data_source.persist_data = False
 
@@ -247,7 +254,7 @@ def test_serialization_state_no_persist(self):
             "_min_index",
             "_max_index",
         ]:
-            self.assertIn(key, state)
+            self.assertNotIn(key, state)
 
     @unittest.skip("I think this is just broken")
     def test_serialization_post_load(self):
diff --git a/chaco/text_plot.py b/chaco/text_plot.py
index 715924aae..810c8f587 100644
--- a/chaco/text_plot.py
+++ b/chaco/text_plot.py
@@ -49,13 +49,13 @@ class TextPlot(BaseXYPlot):
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     #: flag for whether the cache of Label instances is valid
-    _label_cache_valid = Bool(False)
+    _label_cache_valid = Bool(False, transient=True)
 
     #: cache of Label instances for faster rendering
-    _label_cache = List
+    _label_cache = List(transient=True)
 
     #: cache of bounding boxes of labels
-    _label_box_cache = List
+    _label_box_cache = List(transient=True)
 
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # Private methods
diff --git a/chaco/text_plot_1d.py b/chaco/text_plot_1d.py
index 9b8dd5b23..430437059 100644
--- a/chaco/text_plot_1d.py
+++ b/chaco/text_plot_1d.py
@@ -56,13 +56,13 @@ class TextPlot1D(Base1DPlot):
     _text_position = Float
 
     #: flag for whether the cache of Label instances is valid
-    _label_cache_valid = Bool(False)
+    _label_cache_valid = Bool(False, transient=True)
 
     #: cache of Label instances for faster rendering
-    _label_cache = List
+    _label_cache = List(transient=True)
 
     #: cache of bounding boxes of labels
-    _label_box_cache = List
+    _label_box_cache = List(transient=True)
 
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # Private methods
diff --git a/chaco/tools/simple_zoom.py b/chaco/tools/simple_zoom.py
index 94579c736..b60e44060 100644
--- a/chaco/tools/simple_zoom.py
+++ b/chaco/tools/simple_zoom.py
@@ -40,11 +40,11 @@ class SimpleZoom(AbstractOverlay, ToolHistoryMixin, BaseZoomTool):
 
     #: Is the tool always "on"? If True, left-clicking always initiates
     #: a zoom operation; if False, the user must press a key to enter zoom mode.
-    always_on = Bool(False)
+    always_on = Bool(False, transient=True)
 
     #: Defines a meta-key, that works with always_on to set the zoom mode. This
     #: is useful when the zoom tool is used in conjunction with the pan tool.
-    always_on_modifier = Enum(None, "shift", "control", "alt")
+    always_on_modifier = Enum(None, "shift", "control", "alt", transient=True)
 
     # -------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # Zoom control
@@ -70,25 +70,25 @@ class SimpleZoom(AbstractOverlay, ToolHistoryMixin, BaseZoomTool):
 
     #: The key press to enter zoom mode, if **always_on** is False.  Has no effect
     #: if **always_on** is True.
-    enter_zoom_key = Instance(KeySpec, args=("z",))
+    enter_zoom_key = Instance(KeySpec, args=("z",), transient=True)
 
     #: The key press to leave zoom mode, if **always_on** is False.  Has no effect
     #: if **always_on** is True.
-    exit_zoom_key = Instance(KeySpec, args=("z",))
+    exit_zoom_key = Instance(KeySpec, args=("z",), transient=True)
 
     #: Disable the tool after the zoom is completed?
     disable_on_complete = Bool(True)
 
     #: The minimum amount of screen space the user must select in order for
     #: the tool to actually take effect.
-    minimum_screen_delta = Int(10)
+    minimum_screen_delta = Int(10, transient=True)
 
     # -------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # Appearance properties (for Box mode)
     # -------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     #: The pointer to use when drawing a zoom box.
-    pointer = "magnifier"
+    pointer = Str("magnifier", transient=True)
 
     #: The color of the selection box.
     color = ColorTrait("lightskyblue")
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ class SimpleZoom(AbstractOverlay, ToolHistoryMixin, BaseZoomTool):
     border_size = Int(1)
 
     #: The possible event states of this zoom tool.
-    event_state = Enum("normal", "selecting")
+    event_state = Enum("normal", "selecting", transient=True)
 
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # Key mappings
@@ -123,17 +123,17 @@ class SimpleZoom(AbstractOverlay, ToolHistoryMixin, BaseZoomTool):
 
     # If **always_on** is False, this attribute indicates whether the tool
     # is currently enabled.
-    _enabled = Bool(False)
+    _enabled = Bool(False, transient=True)
 
     # the original numerical screen ranges
     _orig_low_setting = Trait(None, Tuple, Float, Str)
     _orig_high_setting = Trait(None, Tuple, Float, Str)
 
     # The (x,y) screen point where the mouse went down.
-    _screen_start = Trait(None, None, Tuple)
+    _screen_start = Trait(None, None, Tuple, transient=True)
 
     # The (x,,y) screen point of the last seen mouse move event.
-    _screen_end = Trait(None, None, Tuple)
+    _screen_end = Trait(None, None, Tuple, transient=True)
 
     def __init__(self, component=None, *args, **kw):
         # Support AbstractController-style constructors so that this can be
@@ -647,28 +647,3 @@ def _next_state_pressed(self):
         to the next state. Implements ToolHistoryMixin.
         """
         self._do_zoom()
-
-    ### Persistence ###########################################################
-
-    def __getstate__(self):
-        dont_pickle = [
-            "always_on",
-            "always_on_modifier",
-            "enter_zoom_key",
-            "exit_zoom_key",
-            "minimum_screen_delta",
-            "event_state",
-            "reset_zoom_key",
-            "prev_zoom_key",
-            "next_zoom_key",
-            "pointer",
-            "_enabled",
-            "_screen_start",
-            "_screen_end",
-        ]
-        state = super(SimpleZoom, self).__getstate__()
-        for key in dont_pickle:
-            if key in state:
-                del state[key]
-
-        return state