Remove old paint from screws.

[changintimes]

Hi everybody,

Great forum!

I have a breeze gaurd on the bottom of my door that helps to stop breezes from coming in. It is metal and very old. The door is painted white and the paint had been painted over the screws that hold the breeze gaurd in place.

I want to unscrew the screws to straighten out the old breeze gaurd but the screws are covered with paint.

What is the best way to get the paint off of the screws?

I thought maybe a hammer and nail, but I don't want to break the screws.

Thanks much,

Larry

[kactuskid]

First wear a pair of safety glasses just in case. Then yu can use a utility knife to scrape away the paint and try to dig it outta the grooves on the screw head. If the scew is a flat blade screw then this will be pretty easy, if it's a phillips head screw (X grooves) then it'll be a bit more trouble. Just be careful you don't snap the knife blade. Also using a smaller screwdriver bit to pry away the paint may help. Then once the groove is showable, insert the screwdriver bit and apply pressure while turning it counter-clockwise.

[changintimes]

Thank you KactusKid.

The screw head is so small I didn't even think of using a smaller screw driver.

Good point about the safety glasses. I have regular glasses. That OK?

I will try with a screw drive, smallest I can find. The heads of the screws are regular and round and totally covered good in paint.

Thanks,

Larry

[HayZee518]

If all your tries prove futile go to a sears store and purchase their screw removal kit. They come in different sizes. Simply chuck it into a reversible drill apply pressure and pull the trigger. The tool digs into the metal and draws out the screws.

[changintimes]

....and safety glasses for sure with the screw removal kit.

Thanks HayZee, I may buy one.

Larry

[MrStan]

have you tried dabbing on some paint remover just on the screw heads?