I found a old Marlin bolt-action .22 at my grandpas. It was in a closet since he was little, and was in a damp basement. Anyways, as you guessed it was very rusty. I didn't think it was worth much and the bolt was rusted shut. I tried everything to get the rust off but nothing worked. I took sandpaper and rubbed off all the rust I saw. Now it is bare metal but I put a scope on it and it shoots amazingly well. At 25 yards all shots touching. I really like this gun and I want to save it somehow. I got the bolt unstuck but the ejector doesn't work half the time and probably around 20% of the time the shell won't fire, the dent from the firing pin is very close to the edge and I'm guessing sometimes it misses for unknown reasons. I don't need the gun to be pretty but I want to be able to keep using it. It is the most accurate .22 I've ever shot...when it shoots. I've thought about possibly spraying the barrel with rustoleum or some kind of paint that prohibits rust, but I don't know anything about what kind of effects that could have. Thanks for any replies.

I am not a gunsmith but it sounds like the bolt and firing pin could use a good cleaning. Take them apart and clean and oil them that should fix the missfireing problem. I would also sand blast the whole metal surface of the barell and reciever then give it a few coats of cold blue. You will get a matte finish on blasted metal but it looks good and you can do it yourself.

I love it when someone turns up an old treasure like this!!
Try removing the barrel and action from the stock, and soaking/ immersing it in kerosene for several days to a week. This should help break free any remaining rust and/or corrosion you can't see or get to. A glass bead blasting will probably give you a smoother finish to start from than sand, IMO. Try not to blast critical fit areas, such a bolt/boltface/chamber. A little judicious handwork around these areas is what's needed,along with a little common sense. Sounds like a nice project! Good luck.............

Jus a quick suggestion
Get a Gun Smith to do the things mentioned in the previous post. Id hate for you not to be able to get it all cleaned and back togeather. I have made the mistake before myself.

You should be able to get it cleaned on your own. But I would strongly suggest NOT cold blueing the whole thing. In my experiences, that much cold blueing comes out poorly at best. It is really for just touching up a spot. Maybe you would have better luck than I did if you bought one of the more expensive kits, but then you might as well get a price to have it hot dipped. If you are not overly concerned with looks, I would hit it with flat black and never look back. Good luck

Thanks, I might try soaking it in Kerosene, I won't be able to shoot it, football camp messed up my wrist this weekend.[:@] When you said "Hit it with flat back", did you mean paint or what? I'm not good with technical things, but thanks for the replies.