How can a rusty screw be removed

If you want to repair something old, then you are bound to face the problem of stuck rusty screws. The rust developed on the screws makes it stubborn. If you don't use the correct technique to remove the screws, you will end up losing a lot of energy, and you can also take the head off the screw (making your problem more serious), or damage the object to be repaired.

How to remove a rusty screw?

I am assuming that you have tried conventional methods of removing a screw, you may be irritated by now, but you must realize that your irritation along with impatience will make things difficult for you. Follow the steps below for you to successfully remove the rusted screw, and avoid wasting your time, effort and money.

Apply penetrating oil

A variety of penetrating oils are available on the market, buy any one of them. Apply the best penetrating oil to the thread (see that the oil comes into contact with the area between the nut and the screw). If you cannot apply the oil directly to the thread, then put a few drops of penetrating oil on the screw head. The oil will penetrate the seal formed by the oxidation and, thus, it will loosen the screw. After applying penetrating oil, they do not work on the screw immediately. Oil will have time to do its job.

Loosen the screw

Half an hour apply the penetrating oil, try to loosen the screw. Take a screwdriver (which has a head, which matches the screw head perfectly), and use it to torque the screw. When you work on the screw, see that you apply pressure to the screw. Make sure you are applying the torque in the right direction. Sporadically touch the screw head from all possible directions. Since the screw budges, keep changing the direction of the torque, this will help to break the rust seal. If you feel that the screw is loosened considerably now, then apply torque in the right direction to remove the screw. If the screw refuses to move, you should consider reapplying penetrating oil, and work on the screw after some time.

Stripped screw head

While working on the screw with a screwdriver, you can accidentally remove the screw head. In such a situation, a screwdriver may not be more effective. You can consider using any of the following methods to remove the stripped screw:

* You can use a vise grip.

* You can use a screw puller.

* You can drill the screw out.

* You can heat the screw, and then use a vise grip.

When you decide to drill the screw, see that you drill exactly in the center of the screw head. If you are not accurate, with drilling, you can damage the object that holds the screw. Use the heating method only if the area around the screw is heat tolerant. If you overheat the screw, you may end up melting it (this will be a bigger problem), to stop heating the moment the screw starts to turn red. Don't forget to use your safety equipment when you are using the puller, drill, or heating method!

In some cases, you may have to keep the screw soaked in penetrating oil for a few days before finally removing the screw, such situations require a lot of patience. All the tools you may need to remove rusted screws (GRIP, vise screwdriver, screw puller, etc.) can be easily found at a hardware store. If the object you are working on is valuable, then you better have professional help. I recommend that you wear gloves when working on a rusty screw, and see that you don't get hurt in a hurried attempt to remove the screw!