Advice - removing skirting - subborn rusty screws

[timski]

Hi Guys,

I'm in the process of preparing the van for the old rustomeum treatment. I'm trying to remove as much as possible so I can remove any rust but the skirting on my van is proving a nightmare to remove.

I am trying to remove this section of skirting under the driver's door.



The screws that are holding it in place are completely rusted. I've tried the usual. Spaying with PlusGas, brushing off all the rust and crud and then taking an impact driver to it but they're just not budging. I wonder if there is a tip to these screws? They have some kind of clip which you can just see in the following pic.



I managed to get the ones holding the section at the front of the van moving but those ones just keep turning and not coming out.

Any advice welcome before I resort to the angle grinder. Not a lot of room under there so not keen on working with an angle grinder.

Thanks,
Tim.

[boatbuilder]

Hold the spire clip with vice grips or something to stop it turning.
If the spire clip doesn't move and the screw is turning, I'd resort to vice grips on the head of the screw and pull and twist it while making sure the spire clip isn't just spinning.
If that fails, then go for the small grinder and cut the head off.

[timski]

Ah I understand what's going on with the front screws now. The clip behind must be turning. That explains why the screw isn't coming out. Not sure how I get to the other side of those screws though. I couldn't get to the back from underneath.

The clip on the one I showed in the pic is completely stuck. Might have to resort to the grinder on that one after all.

Thanks Boatbuilder!

[82JEW75]

If you remove the door card you might be able to get to the screw from the inside?

[timski]

No the ones I can't get to that I was referring to are under the front bumper.

Ended up taking the angle grinder to the ones near the wheel arch in the end. Had to be careful not to melt the skirting as the grinder heats the screws so much.