Got a good tip for this frustration?

I have a circular polarizer that does not seem to want to unscrew from a step-up ring that it's currently attached to. I've tried a few times today, and my last attempt was to try some rubbery/tacky cabinet and cupboard liner to get a better grip on things, but to no avail.

I know this probably happens to people a lot - got any nifty little tips or suggestions for me?

a rubber band works well. wrap it around the part closet the the threads and give it a turn

Press the step-up ring against a tire or a rubber jar opener and use the aforementioned rubber band on the filter, if you can't get a set of appropriately-sized filter wrenches (something any filter user should have in their bag).

i don't screw mine on too tight and a lot of times i notice just fiddling with it lightly is better than trying to really grip it

Jon wrote in post #16156585
Press the step-up ring against a tire or a rubber jar opener and use the aforementioned rubber band on the filter, if you can't get a set of appropriately-sized filter wrenches (something any filter user should have in their bag).

Filter wrenches. Yes, filter wrenches. I definitely should invest in those - thanks. I'll try the tire/rubber band method in the meantime.

Nathan wrote in post #16156588
i don't screw mine on too tight and a lot of times i notice just fiddling with it lightly is better than trying to really grip it

That's what I've always found. Most of the time the tighter I grip them when removing, the harder it is for them to budge; I'm assuming because the metal is so thin and flexible it's getting shoved into the threads by the force of your grip. This time, however, it stuck and it really wants to remain stuck.

blow dry the filter ring on low heat, just enough to warm it a bit and then use the rubber band or whatever you wanna use to get a better grip. use at your own risk of course.

You can try holding the (filter side) in front of a cool stream of a/c few a few seconds to let it contract and thus loosen up.
Roqdawg

lol... two conflicting bits of advice back to back ^^^

I've also put on a pair of leather gloves to help me grip. Rubber gloves would work, too... but I just grabbed what was handy.

Don't overthink this. More often than not when a polarizer is "stuck" all you have to turn is turn the adjustable part of the polarizer counterclockwise a few times and the threaded portion will release. Can't explain why it works, but it's always worked for me.

Heat /cold for expansion and contraction and a pair of latex gloves. I carry latex gloves and a few rubber bands in my bag.

mondayshift wrote in post #16156682
blow dry the filter ring on low heat, just enough to warm it a bit and then use the rubber band or whatever you wanna use to get a better grip. use at your own risk of course.

This

Eureka! I finally got it off just now. Rested it directly on the vent of my air conditioner for a few minutes until the whole thing was icy cold, then just squeezed the step-up ring ring my bare hand and turned the filter with my other hand and a rubber cabinet liner - came off quite quickly and easily.

Thank you all for a little contraction/expansion tutelage!

aluminum polarizer ring screwed into another aluminum filter or step up/down ring is asking for trouble to happen...the real need for a brass ring polarizer, now that lenses are mostly composites and not metal.

I'm glad my advice wasn't needed, i.e. a Sawzall.

Phoenixkh wrote in post #16158486
I'm glad my advice wasn't needed, i.e. a Sawzall.

Mine too. I was going to recommend banging it against a kitchen counter top, much like removing a lid from a jar.