How to Remove a Rusty Screw

If you've ever been in the position of removing a screw, just to find that it has rusted into place, try one of these tricks to get it unstuck. While each trick will not work in every situation, one of these four methods will remove the screw every time. Start with the early methods, which require less skill and tools to try and work your way to more complicated methods as necessary.

Loosening with a Screwdriver

Try tightening instead of loosening the rusty screw. A slight tightening may break the bounds of the rust to the threads of the screw. Once you've been able to tighten the screw slightly, try unscrewing it once more.

Use Penetrating Oil

If you don't have to remove the screw immediately, coat the head of the screw with penetrating oil. If possible, let the penetrating oil sit on the area overnight. Three or four hours may be sufficient for even tightly stuck screws, you can also combine the penetrating oil with using the screwdriver for good results.

Try an Impact Driver

An impact driver should only be used to loosen screws that are embedded in materials that are not so brittle that they will shatter. Cast iron, ceramic, and other hard materials that easily break cannot use an impact driver to remove the rusty screw.

To use an impact driver, place the head of the driver into the slot of the screw. While holding the impact driver in place with one hand, hit the other end of the tool with a hammer. The force of the below will be converted into a twisting motion that may dislodge the stubborn rusty screw.

Drill Out The Screw

Drilling out a rusty screw is the most complicated method, but it will work in almost any instance to remove the screw. Of course, the screw will be destroyed using this method, so be sure to have a replacement on hand as necessary.

To drill out a screw, use a drill bit and driver to remove the material of the screw head. Once most of the screw head has been removed, try gripping any part left of the screw head with a piece of pliers and twist the screw manually.

If the screw will not budge, use a drill bit that is smaller than the diameter of the screw and drill through the shaft. The screw should start collapsing on itself. When you have drilled as far as you can go, use a nail to help remove the threads from the sides of the screw hole.