Paint over screws

K8MHZ · Jun 30, 2013

Does anyone here have a good trick for getting out device (receptacle, switch, etc.) screws that have been painted over?

We were in an apartment were the paint on the receptacles was so thick you couldn't get an ice cube tester in them. The screws were painted over and digging the paint out was painstaking to nearly impossible. Just getting the screws out added up to 20 minutes or more per device.

I just dug them out with a screwdriver and did my best. I had plenty of time to ponder my dilemma, though.

Has anyone tried using a heat gun to soften the paint in the screw slots? If so, how easy is it to damage the surrounding paint?

Does anyone know of a tool made especially for clearing dried paint out of screw slots?

These receptacles are 12 inches AFF with not long enough conductors and a PITA to work on even if the screws cooperated. Anything to reduce the time working on these would be appreciated.

iwire · Jun 30, 2013

I would likely get a pick set or sacrifice a screwdriver and reshape it sharp with a file.

iwire · Jun 30, 2013

drspec · Jun 30, 2013

screw extractor

renosteinke · Jun 30, 2013

If they were that bad, I'd just get out the Multi-master and cut the damn things apart.

K8MHZ · Jun 30, 2013

renosteinke said:
If they were that bad, I'd just get out the Multi-master and cut the damn things apart.

You still have to get the screws out.

K8MHZ · Jun 30, 2013

drspec said:
screw extractor

Interesting!!

Have you actually used them on #6 beveled slot tip screws? If they work as advertised (I checked out their site) they would be the cat's meow for old apartments.

zbang · Jul 1, 2013

Not sure if describing this makes sense, but I use the corner of a screwdriver tip to push the paint out of the slot- line up the tip with the slot with the corner at the end of the slot , hit shaft down near the tip with kleins. Pushes the paint sideways through the slot where it can easily get out the other end. Doesn't seem to damage the screw, either. Does not work for phillips screws, of course.

qcroanoke · Jul 1, 2013

zbang said:
Not sure if describing this makes sense, but I use the corner of a screwdriver tip to push the paint out of the slot- line up the tip with the slot with the corner at the end of the slot , hit shaft down near the tip with kleins. Pushes the paint sideways through the slot where it can easily get out the other end. Doesn't seem to damage the screw, either. Does not work for phillips screws, of course.

That's what I do.

Fulthrotl · Jul 1, 2013

qcroanoke said:
That's what I do.

that makes three of us.... use a 6" straight blade driver,
line it up with the slot, tap with whapping tool sideways,
cleans slot out nicely, unscrew, swear, move on to next one.

mjf · Jul 1, 2013

zbang said:
Not sure if describing this makes sense, but I use the corner of a screwdriver tip to push the paint out of the slot- line up the tip with the slot with the corner at the end of the slot , hit shaft down near the tip with kleins. Pushes the paint sideways through the slot where it can easily get out the other end. Doesn't seem to damage the screw, either. Does not work for phillips screws, of course.

Well described.

Me too, except when I have my razor knife in my hand, (from scoring around the painted on cover plate), then I usually give the slots 1 or 2 shots with the point of the blade. If that's not sufficient refer back to quote above.

1 other thing that will sometimes work very quickly and nicely is rapping the head of the screw with a blunt object (side of linesmans). Paint may chip right off and out. Just have to be carefull not to damage anything else!

zbang · Jul 1, 2013

Also- open razor knife, cut paint holding plate to wall, try to peel off plate without taking too much paint off the wall, swear some more...

drspec · Jul 1, 2013

K8MHZ said:
Interesting!!

Have you actually used them on #6 beveled slot tip screws? If they work as advertised (I checked out their site) they would be the cat's meow for old apartments.

I don't see why they wouldn't work with those screws. I have used them on all types in the past. The most recent was replacing ballasts and covers in concrete encased step lights. These lights were corroded. A lot of the screws were rusted in place and it worked perfect for removing those.

cowboyjwc · Jul 1, 2013

zbang said:
Not sure if describing this makes sense, but I use the corner of a screwdriver tip to push the paint out of the slot- line up the tip with the slot with the corner at the end of the slot , hit shaft down near the tip with kleins. Pushes the paint sideways through the slot where it can easily get out the other end. Doesn't seem to damage the screw, either. Does not work for phillips screws, of course.

Me too

GoldDigger · Jul 1, 2013

K8MHZ said:
You still have to get the screws out.

You could also try a drop of paint remover only on the screw head. Do all of the screws, then come back, wipe the paint off, and clean up thoroughly. .
(In mid post when the site went down.)

1793 · Jul 1, 2013

zbang said:
Not sure if describing this makes sense, but I use the corner of a screwdriver tip to push the paint out of the slot- line up the tip with the slot with the corner at the end of the slot , hit shaft down near the tip with kleins. Pushes the paint sideways through the slot where it can easily get out the other end. Doesn't seem to damage the screw, either. Does not work for phillips screws, of course.

cowboyjwc said:
Me too

Me too, I think we are up to 5

mivey · Jul 1, 2013

zbang said:
Not sure if describing this makes sense, but I use the corner of a screwdriver tip to push the paint out of the slot- line up the tip with the slot with the corner at the end of the slot , hit shaft down near the tip with kleins. Pushes the paint sideways through the slot where it can easily get out the other end. Doesn't seem to damage the screw, either. Does not work for phillips screws, of course.

I use the chisel method and tap the end of the handle with my Kleins while holding the screwdriver at an angle. For Phillips, use a sharp nail, screw, or knife tip to get most of the paint then tap the Phillips into the slot to seat before turning. Old plastic covers can break easily so the amount of finesse goes up with the value of the old plate of course. Damaged screws may get hit with the Dremel or Rotozip to make a slot (Dremel with wand is more precise). Broken screws: Kleins or drill or punch & re-tap, or whatever else comes to mind.

kwired · Jul 1, 2013

1793 said:
Me too, I think we are up to 5

Count me in on the "me too" group.

If you were to use heat to soften paint in any way, I would maybe suggest one of those "micro" torches so you can direct the heat to a pretty small spot.

mivey · Jul 1, 2013

kwired said:
Count me in on the "me too" group.

If you were to use heat to soften paint in any way, I would maybe suggest one of those "micro" torches so you can direct the heat to a pretty small spot.

Soldering iron if you must.

mike7330 · Jul 1, 2013

kwired said:
Count me in on the "me too" group.

If you were to use heat to soften paint in any way, I would maybe suggest one of those "micro" torches so you can direct the heat to a pretty small spot.

Me to camp!
Also I have found that if you are replacing receptacle I have just bashed the face of the receptacle with my linemans and the plate pops off clean!

Paint over screws

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