I picked up an old Marlin 22 auto that looks like it was left out in the rain about a month too long. The stock isn't too bad but the barrel has a lot of surface rust all over. I'm planning on sanding it down smooth and baking a black lacquer finish on it (just regular black lacquer spray paint baked at 300 degrees in the oven, then turn it off and let it cool overnight, makes quite a durable finish). However, I am open to other suggestion the main thing being I want something that is reasonably durable and nice looking and not cost more than the gun. Any other ideas or helpful hints?

TIA

Mark

Mark,

I've had very good luck on customers guns that have surface rust using Break Free and a "Stainless Steel" Pad. Let the Break Free soak for several hours to half a day and then go over it with the pad.

As far as a inexpensive finish, your baking laquer is the way I'd go.

Coon

Mark,

Depending on how bad it really is, you might salvage some finish with a mix of 0000 steel wool and WD-40. This might be a good candidate for a nice cammo pattern...


Malm

There is some pitting, not a whole lot but a couple places you can catch a fingernail on, so I really should use something a little more aggressive than steel wool at this point, like 220 grit.

Hadn't thought about doing camo on it, better have another drink and sleep on that thought....

Where there is heavy 'scale' rust I scrape it with an old rifle hull. Take a long case, 270,
7 STW or such, and hammer the neck flat. It makes a good scraper.

Used plenty of Break Free and scrape heavy rust off, then go over it with 0000 steel wool. Doesn't get rid of the pitting, but it does get rid of most of the rust.