I am trying to remove the sink strainer basket from my kitchen sink because it is old and rusty. I was able to remove the nut and rubber washer from underneath, but now the strainer will not come out. I have hit it from underneath to try to nudge it, but it will not move. I have sprayed liquid wrench on it to try to loosen the plumber's putty, but that hasn't worked either. This sink is probably 50 years old and I don't know if the strainer has ever been replaced before and if it is rusted on or what. The sink is porcelain. Can anybody help? Thanks!

It's probably either rusted in or caulked in.

If it's been caulked in, I've had pretty good luck in the past heating them up with a heat gun.

If it's rust, you may have to slice it crosswise with a dremel tool and a corrugated cut-off wheel and then carefully pry it off with a thin bladed screwdriver.

If you try the dremel method, be very careful of the depth you cut to, you wouldn't want to cut through to the sink.

If you've removed the retaining nut and the tail piece all that's holding it is the putty seal under the lip. I just take a hammer and tap around the bottom to loosen it and it should push right up. Good luck, Tom