I have a circular polarizer that just will not rotate properly, it is extremely tight. It's a quality brand and I hate to trash it. Do I dare try a lubricate? Any suggestions? Thanks!
Don't use oil . . . Try a little graphite . . .
fretless wrote:
I have a circular polarizer that just will not rotate properly, it is extremely tight. It's a quality brand and I hate to trash it. Do I dare try a lubricate? Any suggestions? Thanks!
Moist q tip with WD40 or moist q tip with silicon spray
I would use Jig-a-loo. It is a non petroleum lubrigant. I’m a contractor and use it for all kinds of stuff - sticky anything. Great for sticky double hung window balances, drawer slides & anything thing that has to slide or roll. It comes in a spray can. I would spray some into a cup and then use a small artist brush around the edge of the filter and let in penetrate into the ring. Www.jigaloo.ca
It’s made in Canada. Just click - where to buy.
First, I would try a rocket blaster or maybe a can of pressurized clean air (no oil additive).
Use a fine brush to clean in the joint may help.
BUT, if you use a liquid penetrating oil, do not get any on the glass. Using penetrating oil or any lubricant may damage the glass.
Alcohol should be safe to use so you might want to try that instead of oil. Use an eye dropper or syringe to get the alcohol between the two pieces to wash out any debris. try moving the filter to loosen the debris. Even plain water could be used but may not clean out any oil based grit.
Once free, you may use a small amount of graphite or just leave it dry. A CP doesn't really need to be lubricated.
Thanks, for all the help!
fretless wrote:
I have a circular polarizer that just will not rotate properly, it is extremely tight. It's a quality brand and I hate to trash it. Do I dare try a lubricate? Any suggestions? Thanks!
It likely has dust or residue of some sort inside the rotating ring.
ABSOLUTELY NEVER use ANY type of liquid, gel or waxy lubricant anywhere on a lens or filter! If you MUST lube it use dry graphite sparingly.
To clean the ring submerge the filter in a small bowl of hot, not boiling, water and let it soak. After 5 minutes take it out and rotate it under running hot tap water. A second duplicate cleaning may be needed. When done dry it off and let it sit overnight. Next day clean it with Zeiss lens wipes and polish with a micro fiber cloth before using again.
I clean customers sticky polarizers this way regularly and it has never failed to restore them, except in a couple cases where the filter had been dented or damaged.
PixelStan77 wrote:
Moist q tip with WD40 or moist q tip with silicon spray
WD40, which is fish oil, is a dust magnet. Find some silicone based watch lubricant. You could also soak in in hot water to see if it loosens whatever causing the bind.
wdross
Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
fretless wrote:
I have a circular polarizer that just will not rotate properly, it is extremely tight. It's a quality brand and I hate to trash it. Do I dare try a lubricate? Any suggestions? Thanks!
If it is a sealed polarizer give it a gentle washing in distilled water with a drop or two of dish detergent. Rotate the polarizer while cleaning. Rinse thoroughly and dry. It can be done to unsealed polarizers but with some risk. If it does not get dried out enough, it can generate mold where the polarizing grating is between the layers of glass.
Dave327 wrote:
I would use Jig-a-loo. It is a non petroleum lubrigant. I’m a contractor and use it for all kinds of stuff - sticky anything. Great for sticky double hung window balances, drawer slides & anything thing that has to slide or roll. It comes in a spray can. I would spray some into a cup and then use a small artist brush around the edge of the filter and let in penetrate into the ring. Www.jigaloo.ca
It’s made in Canada. Just click - where to buy.
At almost $60 for one spray can, your business must be booming!
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000GRNSDS/ref=dp_olp_0?ie=UTF8&condition=all&qid=1516623517&sr=1-2
Don't worry about it. There should be enough threads that you can rotate it (screwing in and out) without falling off. You only have to go 180 degrees. It does not have to be a tight fit to work.
Actually WD40 is a lousy lubricant, and was never really intended to be a lubricant. The WD stands for water displacement and it is good at displacing water.
Merlin1300
Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX
MT Shooter wrote:
It likely has dust or residue of some sort inside the rotating ring.
Whatever MT Shooter says - - DO THAT !!
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