The two (2) screws holding the shroud on the air conditioner were installed with blue loctite. I’ve been able to remove one but the second one won’t budge. I’m thinking I’ll mask the area around the screw and washer with 2 layers of aluminum tape and then heat the head of the screw. I don’t want to damage the shroud.
Am I on the right track? Thank you for any guidance.
The fat headed screws?
My strategy before heat would be (1) try to get a vice-grip on the head if possible and use that to get some leverage to turn the screw, (2) use an impact driver to try to break it loose, but I would expect to maybe strip the screw head, and then (3) use a dremel or vibratory tool to cut a slot into the screw head so you can get a large flat-head screwdriver on it.
If you do go with heat, consider something like a soldering iron to deliver the heat directly to the screw as to avoid damage to the shroud
Rich
Blue Locktite can be removed with solvent. Maybe not alcohol, but acetone may harm the plastic. Soldering iron heat is best.
Red locktite, more permanent, requires heat. Acetone may remove red locktite, but take a while to act on that. Definitely would harm the plastic. RonB
I was unable to get a grip with the vice grips earlier today. However I hadn’t thought to use a soldering iron which makes sense to me. I’m thinking I’ll try the soldering iron later this week. I’ll go slow and not cook it! And I was so eager to remove the shroud and clean that air conditioner.
The only thing that is easy for me to do these days is taking a nap. 😴 And I do that really well.
Feedback to follow.
That’s one of the maintenance tasks I need to do also. I have a group of about five or six “roof” items I like to do all at one time to limit trips up there. Be safe up there, Ed!
Nothing beats a battery-powered impact driver, a tight fitting bit, to loosen a tight screw.
Larry
Blue lock tight should come loose, very best bet is an impact driver and a good fitting bit as Larry suggested.
Jon
The pending strategy is to use a little heat and a new impact driver. Why didn’t I use the old one at first? My daughter borrowed it a long time ago and decided it was hers! 😂
Footnote:. A little soldering iron heat and a new impact driver with a tight fitting bit (drum roll) … spells success.
Thanks to all my Forum Neighbors. 🙏