Tried using a heat gun on a stuck lens filter ring and it worked

Had this 72mm UV filter stuck on a Canon FD lens for like 2 years. Tried everything - rubber band, filter wrench, even freezing it. Finally grabbed my heat gun and gave it 20 seconds on low. Popped right off with barely any effort. Learned that aluminum expands faster than brass so the filter ring loosens up quick. Has anyone else used heat on stuck rings or is that a bad habit?

3 comments

3 Comments

price.gavin17d ago

Heat guns are great for this but you gotta be careful not to toast the lens itself. I keep mine on the lowest setting and wave it around instead of holding it still. The difference in expansion rates between aluminum and brass is a real thing, not just some internet myth. Just watch that you don't melt any plastic parts on the lens barrel if you get too close.

alexk6017d ago

Oh man, totally agree. I learned that lesson the hard way when I got a little too aggressive with a heat gun on an old Nikkor and the focus ring started getting sticky from the plastic softening. Now I just take it real slow and keep the gun moving like you said, it's not a race.

olivia39817d ago

Man it's wild how that same principle works everywhere, I noticed it with rusted bolts on my old car too, same idea with different metals expanding at their own pace just makes things unlock themselves.