Doors and Windows - Door hinges

I have an older house and one of the former owners painted the door hinges. This has led to two problems:

1. I have 2 or 3 screws that I cannot get enough grip on to get out in order to clean the hinges or work on refinishing the doors. They are flat head screws if that helps.

2. What is the best way to remove paint or rust from the hinges?

I usually just drill them out, but then again 99% of the time i'm replacing with a prehung unit, so i dont care about tearing old unit up.I take it your reusing door and jamb, then you will just have to take your time with a chisel and hammer and find the slot and make it where you can get a flathead on it.I have never had luck with the screw extractor kits or such.I have all the different size chisels and just beat a slot in the screws, its a pain in the ass,just replace with philips head screws

Got them out. Hammered them with an old flat head angled through the slot and created enough grip to get them out.

Any recommendations to remove the paint or rust? Wire brush or paint remover?

just get matching new hinges, there are only a few sizes, take 1 off the door and take it to one of the home centers

I'd give it a paint remover soaking and see what wipes off. Heat gun might work too. Don't know about the wire brush since it would likely leave scratches... maybe a sandpaper with very fine grit would work.

I don't recommend buying new ones. Nothing ever fits the same as the original. Unless you have access to good and old minded service hardware stores. Like where the Italians go in my town... they carry a wider selection of old styles than run of the mill Home Depot or Rona.

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_refurbish_other/article/0,,HGTV_3488_1381937,00.html