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I hope someone will find this information useful and learn from my mistakes.
I have a B+W XS-Pro circular polarizer that would get stiff at certain points. There was a particular point that would have more tension and then it would loosen afterward. Per suggestions I have read in various forums the recommendation was to use a syringe to inject oil to the very small slot around the rotating ring. I used singer sewing machine oil. That indeed did help as now the tension was even. It made the stiff point slightly less stiff but there was slightly more tension in the previously looser section. The feel was now even, but still did not rotate as nicely as the same filter I have in a bigger size.
At this point I came to the idea that perhaps there was grit or lubricant of some sort that hardened making that area stiff and instead of oiling it I should try to instead clean out the oil and grit. For this I used 99% Isopropyl alcohol. Using a syringe to inject it than rotating the ring several times. Indeed, it removed any oil or lubricant present that I added and whatever came from the factory as now the rotating ring pretty much seized! It required a lot of pressure to move. When I could get it to move at all. This was a huge mistake so don't do this. At this point I thought I ruined my polarizer and that was it.
However, I decided not to give up on it and use the syringe from before and inject sewing machine oil again. This was not working that well at first. After I put my fingernail into the slot around the rotating ring to widen the gap slightly, I was able to better inject the oil and finally managed to get it smooth again. I had to repeat adding a drop of oil then rotating the ring. First almost completely seized and requiring a lot of force and then gradually loosening.
It's now extremely smooth. As good as my larger size or even better. These stiff or stuck polarizers can be brought back to life.
When they say don't get oil on the glass, they mean it. In my case with the force required to move the ring at first and oil present I slipped a lot and left oily fingerprints all over. You should avoid this at all costs if possible. Otherwise get your package of pec pads or case of cotton swabs and cleaning solution and prepare to use them up.
Here is what Kevin Cruse from Schneider Optics suggested.:
Kevin Cruse wrote:
Suggestions follow:
As the polarizer ring can not be taken apart, lubrication may help, but is
most likely temporary. Exercise care for the following reasons:
> a syringe is needed to add the lubricant to the very small slot around the
rotating ring, or, you can try to get a little fine machine oil between the
holder using 1-2 drops over the tip of a pin, and then turn several times.
> there is a risk of getting lubricant on the filter glass, which can be
difficult to clean.
> too much lubricant may also lead to oil reaching the lens.
We suggest the use of a fine machine oil, such as Starrett.
Schneider assumes no responsibility for results achieved.
BR, Kevin.
Kevin Cruse
Customer Service
Schneider Optics, Inc.
285 Oser Ave.
Hauppauge, NY 11788...Show more →
I found on another forum. I copied it to preserve it here, but here is the link to the original.
https://photo.stackexchange.com/questions/29081/how-can-i-fix-a-sticky-polarizing-filter
Overall, follow that advice and don't be stupid like me. I used a syringe with a 20 ga needle, but smaller would be better if you can find one.
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