Remove a Rusted Screw With a Screwdriver and Penetrating Oil

1. Clean the Screw and MaterialWith a wire brush or steel wood, carefully remove rustfrom the screw and from the surrounding area. This will help the penetrating oil reach deeper into the screw threads.TipBrands of penetrating oil include Kroil, Liquid Wrench, PB Blaster, and Royal Purple. Penetrating oil can be made with a 1:1 ratio of acetone and automatic transmission fluid.
2. Tap the ScrewTap the screw head a few times with the hammer to start to crack the rust. Placing a bolt on top of the screw head will concentrate the hammer blows. Do not use a nailset or other pointed tool to avoid damaging the screw head.
3. Apply Penetrating Oil to the ScrewIf the penetrating oil can has an applicator straw, attach it. Saturate the rusted screw with the penetrating oil. Let the oil soak into the screw for 15 to 30 minutes.
4. Tap the Screw AgainTap the screw once again to help the oil penetrate around the screw threads.
5. Turn Out the Rusty ScrewUse a correctly sized manual screwdriver to turn the rusty screw counter-clockwise and remove it.TipIf the screw head is partially stripped, add a wide rubber band over the screw head to improve friction. You can also improve the grip with one drop of screw-grab friction liquid or a modest sprinkle of a gritty household cleaner like Bon Ami.

Remove a Rusted Screw With Pliers

1. Grip the Screw With Locking PliersAttach the locking pliers either to the head or the shank, but be sure to do so from the side. Pliers must be held sideways to take advantage of the pliers’ horizontal grooves. Turn the rusted screw counter-clockwise.TipDo not use penetrating oil on wood as it is specified only for metal-to-metal contact. Soaking wood with penetrating oil or any liquid causes wood to expand, making removal even harder.2
2. Grip the Screw With Extractor PliersWith vertical as well conventional horizontal grooves, extractor pliers’ jaws allow you to hold the pliers in a more natural vertical position. Grasp the screw head from above and turn counter-clockwise.
3. Dig Into the Material Around the ScrewAs an option, when the screw head is flush with or just below the top of the wood, dig into the wood around the screw head for more material to grab. If the wood is soft enough, you can use the tips of the needle-nose pliers to dig into the wood. Another method is to tap the back of a flat-head screwdriver and create shallow indentations around the screw head.

Remove a Rusted Screw With Screw Extractors

1. Clean the Rusty ScrewWith the wire brush or steel wool, remove rust, corrosion, and paint from the screw. Make sure that the screw head perimeter is clear of obstructions. The penetrating oil needs access to the perimeter so it can soak down to the threads.
2. Tap the ScrewGently tap the screw head a few times with a hammer. Use a ball peen hammer to direct the force on top of the screw or tap a bolt with the hammer.
3. Apply Penetrating OilFit the applicator nozzle on the can of penetrating oil. Saturate the screw. Alternate tapping the screw and adding penetrating oil. Let the oil soak in for at least 30 minutes.
4. Select the Correct Drill BitSelect a lefthand drill bit that is less than the diameter of the screw threads. A lefthand drill bit will often begin turning out the screw before it reaches the shank. In case it continues, you’ll want to make sure that there is enough screw material for the bit to grab.TipIf in doubt about size, start small. You can always work upward in size. If you start too large, you risk boring out the entire screw and possibly damaging the surrounding material.
5. Chuck the Bit Into the DrillChuck the drill bit into an electric drill. Tighten down the chuck as hard as you can by hand. The drill will be turning in reverse, and this will loosen the chuck if it’s not tightened down firmly enough.
6. Drill Into the Rusted ScrewAdd a drop or two of cutting oil to the screw. With the drill in REVERSE, drill into the center of the screw. Keep the drill in line with the screw. Drill into the screw, maintaining slight pressure on the drill to force it into the screw. You may need to drill for as long as a minute or two before the screw begins to draw out of the surface.
7. Use a Screw Extractor KitFor more difficult extractions, use a screw extractor kit. Though similar to the lefthand drill bit method, there are two key differences:
   • Drill the initial hole into the top of the screw with the drill set to FORWARD rotation. Be sure to use cutting oil. Remove the drill bit when finished drilling the hole.
   • After the hole has been drilled, tap the removal bit into the hole. Use a hammer to lightly tap the back of the bit. Once the removal bit is in place, turn it out by hand or with the electric drill, depending on the type of screw removal kit. Turn counter-clockwise.

FAQ

• How do you remove a rusted screw that won’t budge?If the rusted screw is in metal and won’t budge, applying penetrating oil to the screw and turning counter-clockwise with a screwdriver is the best method. If the rusted screw is in wood, turning with a larger screwdriver or pliers usually works.
• Does WD-40 help remove a rusted screw?Though not as effective as penetrating oil, any type of lubricant, including WD-40, will help remove a rusted screw.
• How do you remove an embedded rusted screw?A deeply embedded rusted screw can be removed with a screw removal kit or with left-hand drill bits.