I recently inherited a marlin model 60 in terrible shape. Badly worn stock and quite a bit of rust. I think I can handle reblueing the barrel and refinishing the wood, but what is the best way to refinish the aluminum receiver? Just paint it? If so, what kind of paint? Thanks for any advice.

Some form of paint is definitely the easiest way to go. I have had excellent results with plain ol' Rustoleum flat black spray enamel; others will point you to more expensive (but arguably more durable) products like DuraCoat and other epoxy-based paints. Either way, thoroughly degrease before painting, apply multiple thin coats, bake in a low-heat (250-300) oven for an hour or so, then let it "set" for about a week before putting everything back together. Done this way, even the plain enamel looks good and lasts a long, long time.

Check out www.brownells.com for components to refrubish the aluminum receiver. They will have several products to offer.

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Thx guys for the responses. Once I had sanded the old paint off the receiver, I kinda liked the sorta brushed steel look it gave to the aluminum. Ordered something called protectaclear. Clear finish that is supposed to keep metals from tarnishing. Re blued the barrel. Gonna leave receiver, trigger assembly and front sight all silver. Best part is refinishing the stock reveled an absolutely beautiful piece of wood. Birch I think, lots of character. Refinishing it with just a couple coats of tung oil.

I have a Sears, Roebuck, and Co. 3T (Win. 190 made for Sears) that was in pitiful shape. I picked it up a the LGS for $40. Shoots perfectly! So I took it all apart, sanded all of it, refinished the stocks, and reblued the barrel. I left the receiver bare. I'll clear-coat it with something in the next few days. I'm working on a Colteer now that someone painted the stocks some awful reddish color. Also, the barrel and tubular mag were painted with black paint. Looks like they used a corncob to apply the paint. I have it stripped apart, the stocks partly refinished, and the barrel sanded and steelwooled to a bright shiny finish. After I finish sanding the receiver and mag-tube, I'm going to blue all except the receiver. I will leave the receiver bare and clear-coat it. It's also aluminum. I think they look great with the aluminum looking like brushed steel. I also have an old Rem. 12A pump .22 that I'm going to refinish. Supposedly, when a gun is refinished, it is not worth as much as original. When they look as bad as these, they're not worth much anyway; and, I DON'T plan to get rid of 'em!!

When you get yours finished, post some pics.

I have refinished a number of Marlin 60's and Glenfield's receivers and I have found that you can buy a can of spray paint for an automotive "ENGINE" in satin black and after spraying, follow the instructions for "Cooking" the paint in your oven. The finish is always excellent, looks just like the factory finish, and last.

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Just a quick note. I haven't enough posts to be allowed to post photos yet. I decided to go ahead and paint the receiver of the Colteer. I'll try to post a couple of pics when I can.