The deterioration of nuts and screws can be caused by moisture. It’s tough to get rid of these trapped fasteners, especially if the metal head or threads are rusted, making it difficult to grip with a screwdriver or wrench. So, how can you get a corroded, blocked, or seized bolt to budge? Here is a step-by-step guide to help you.
Step 1
Start by brushing off the rust. To remove as much rust as possible, use a wire brush to brush the rusty bolts or nuts. Using a brush, go over all of the surfaces.
Step 2
To help dislodge any rust that the wire brush couldn’t reach, lightly tap the bolt/nut with a hammer. Attempt to separate the bolt/nut by wrapping a wrench around the nut and turning the wrench counter-clockwise.
Step 3
Apply a generous amount of rust penetrating oil to the joint between the two rusted components and wait 15 minutes for it to take effect. Then try to separate the pieces from one another.
Step 4
Heat the rusted bolt or nut. If possible, place the rusted bolt or nut with the material it’s attached to in the freezer to chill it. Heat causes metal to expand, while cold causes it to contract, both of which help to eradicate rust. With the hammer, tap the bolt or nut again, and try to remove the bolt or nut as indicated in Step 2.
