Maya Ellison
Painting your glasses frames is a great way to add a unique touch to your eyewear and make a bold statement. It is a simple way to restyle your glasses and make them stand out. Before you start painting, it is important to protect your lenses by removing them if possible, or using tape to cover them. You can use a variety of paints, such as multi-surface spray paint, acrylic craft paint, or even nail polish, to create your desired look. After painting, you may want to apply a coat of sealant to protect your new design.
Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Remove lenses, roughen the frame with steel wool to remove shine |
| Paint | Multi-surface spray paint, acrylic craft paint, nail polish, marker pens, automotive paint markers |
| Technique | Lightly spray with a sweeping motion, use long even brush strokes, use tape to create shapes or stripes |
| Finishing | Apply Mod Podge with a small brush, use clear sealant to prevent paint from rubbing off |
| Tools | Hair dryer, steel wool, tea light candle, screwdriver, painters' tape |
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What You'll Learn
Removing the lenses
Before colouring your glasses frames, you will need to carefully remove the lenses. Removing the lenses from your glasses frames is a delicate process, but it can be done with the right tools and techniques. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you remove the lenses safely:
Firstly, identify whether your frames have screws or not. If your frames have screws, use an eyeglass screwdriver to carefully turn the screws in a counterclockwise direction until they come out completely. Keep the screws safe in a small container so you don't lose them. If your frames do not have screws, you can proceed to the next step.
Next, you will need to heat the frames to make the plastic more flexible and easier to work with. You can do this by filling a bowl with the hottest water you can handle from your sink, ensuring it is deep enough to completely submerge your frames. Place a towel under the bowl to prevent spills and protect your lenses. Submerge the frames in the water for about a minute, ensuring the concave sides of the lenses are face-up. Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer set to medium heat, holding it about 6 inches away from the frames and moving it around to heat the plastic evenly.
Once the frames are heated, it's time to remove the lenses. Using your thumbs, gently push on the concave side of one lens to pop it out of the frame. Remove one lens at a time to avoid confusion and reduce the risk of dropping them. Grip the nose bridge with your non-dominant hand and use your dominant thumb to push the corner of the lens gently until it pops out. Place a microfiber cloth between your thumb and the lens to prevent fingerprints.
If the lenses are difficult to remove, you can try repeating the heating process to soften the plastic further. Most lenses should come out easily, but if you are having persistent difficulties, it may be best to seek professional help. Many optical shops will remove lenses at no charge, and they can ensure your lenses are handled safely.
Once the lenses are removed, separate the right lens from the left to avoid confusion when reinserting them after colouring your frames. Remember to clean your frames and lenses thoroughly before beginning the colouring process.
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Roughing up the frame
Before you start painting your glasses frames, it's important to prepare the surface to ensure the paint will adhere properly. This process involves roughing up the frame to create a dull, matte finish. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving this:
Removing the Lenses
First, carefully remove the lenses from your glasses frames. This can be done by gently applying pressure with your thumbs on the backside of each lens and popping them out. It's important to separate the right and left lenses to avoid confusion when reinserting them later.
Gathering the Right Tools
To achieve a dull finish on your frames, you'll need some steel wool. You can find this at most hardware stores or online. Steel wool is a bundle of very fine sharp-edged steel filaments that can be used to scuff and dull smooth surfaces.
Now, use the steel wool to gently scuff the surface of your frames. The goal is to remove the shine and create a slightly textured surface. Be sure to get into all the nooks and crannies, including the groove where the lenses sit. This process will help the paint adhere better and create a more durable finish.
Take your time with this step and be thorough, as it is crucial for achieving a long-lasting paint job. You may need to apply a bit of pressure, but be careful not to press too hard as you don't want to damage the integrity of the frames.
Cleaning the Frame
Once you've finished roughing up the frame, use a soft, dry cloth to wipe away any debris or small shavings left behind. It's important to remove any residue before moving on to the painting stage to ensure a smooth finish.
Preparing for Paint
With the frame now prepared, you can start thinking about your chosen paint colour and technique. Some people opt for a simple spray paint job, while others get creative with multiple colours and distressing techniques. Whatever you choose, ensure you have all the necessary materials before you begin.
Remember, when it comes to painting your glasses frames, the sky's the limit! You can choose any colour or finish you desire to create a unique and personalised accessory.
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Painting the frame
Painting plastic glasses frames can be a fun way to personalise your eyewear, but it's important to remember that there is a chance of permanently damaging your glasses, so it's recommended to practise on an old pair first.
Preparing the Frame
Before painting, it is important to protect the lenses. The best way to do this is to carefully remove the lenses from the frames. Most lenses can be removed by applying pressure with both thumbs simultaneously on the backside of each lens. If the lenses are difficult to remove, take your glasses to a local optical shop, where they can be removed for free. Once the lenses are removed, separate the right lens from the left to avoid confusion when reinserting them.
Next, you'll want to dull the shine of your frames. Use steel wool to gently buff the surface of the frames, making sure to get inside the groove where the lenses sit.
When choosing a paint, multi-surface spray paint is recommended as it provides a consistent finish that a paintbrush may not achieve. Place your frames on a sheet of newspaper and spray with paint using a sweeping motion, always keeping the can moving and shaking frequently. Two light coats tend to work best, and it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions for recoat times. Allow the paint to dry overnight.
You can also get creative and make specific designs using painter's tape. Create stripes or shapes on the frames before painting over them, and remove the tape once the paint is dry.
After applying your base coat, you can add further details. For a distressed look, rub a tea light candle along the edges of the frames, then apply a contrasting colour of acrylic craft paint using long, even brush strokes. Again, two light coats work best.
Finishing the Frame
Once the paint is dry, finish with a coat of clear sealant to keep the paint from rubbing off on your skin. Try to avoid getting too much sealant in the inner groove of your frames, as this will make it more difficult to insert your lenses. After a few hours, use a jeweller's or optical screwdriver to remove small amounts of glue around the hinges to reveal the metal. Now, carefully reinsert your lenses, starting with the right lens and inserting the top outside edge into the corresponding outside groove, followed by the top inside edge.
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Applying a finish
Painting your glasses frames is a great way to personalise your look, but it can be risky as there is a chance of permanent damage. It is best to practise on an old pair of glasses first.
The first step is to protect your lenses. Remove the lenses if you can do so safely, or cover them with tape. If you are using tape, you can also create shapes or stripes on the frames to make a design.
Now you are ready to paint. If your frames are plastic, spray paint is the easiest method for a consistent finish. Place the frames on newspaper and use a sweeping motion, always keeping the can moving. Two light coats are best, and remember to shake the can frequently. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for re-coat time, and let the paint dry overnight.
If you want to get creative, you can add a distressed look to your frames. Rub a tea light candle along the edges of the frames, then apply a contrasting colour of acrylic craft paint with a brush. Again, two light coats work best.
Finally, apply a finish. Mod Podge is a popular choice, and a super gloss finish is recommended. Apply three coats about 20 minutes apart with a small brush, keeping it from the inner groove of your frames. Leave the final coat to dry for a few hours, then insert your lenses.
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Reinserting the lenses
Reinserting lenses into plastic glasses frames can be done at home, but it is recommended that you seek help from an optician for this type of repair. Opticians have access to special tools and instruments designed specifically for working with eyeglass lenses and frames, and they will be able to handle your glasses with care, reducing the risk of damaging your glasses.
If you would still like to reinsert the lenses at home, there are a few methods you can try. Firstly, identify whether your lenses are held in place by a screw. If so, use an eyeglass screwdriver to loosen the screw just enough to allow space for aligning the lens with the frame front. The lens will have a bevel that needs to fit into the groove of the frame. Once you've secured the lens into the groove, tighten the screw back into place. Double-check that the first lens is secure before moving on to the other one.
If your plastic frames do not have screws, you will need to use heat to remove and reinsert the lenses. Fill a microwave-safe container with water and heat it for about a minute, or until the water is warm. The container should be slightly larger than your frames so that they can be entirely submerged. Soak your frames in the warm water to soften and make them malleable. This should only take a few minutes. Then, remove your frames from the water and shake off any excess liquid. Use a dry microfiber towel to wipe any water droplets off the lenses and frames so they don't slip around.
Another method for heating the frames is to use a hairdryer. Turn the hairdryer onto a medium heat and speed setting and hold it about 6 inches (15 cm) from your glasses frames. Move the dryer around the frames near the lenses so they're more flexible and you're able to insert the lenses. You can also try heating the lenses themselves by running them under hot water.
To insert the lenses, turn your glasses towards you and line up the new lenses with the frame. Click them into place from the front of the frames—you should hear a clicking sound. Do a safety test by running your fingers around the edge of the lens to ensure they are in place. Finally, give your lenses a clean with a new cloth.
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Frequently asked questions
Use multi-surface spray paint. Spray lightly with a sweeping motion, always keep moving and shake the can frequently. Two light coats work best.
Work in a well-ventilated area and let the frames dry completely before replacing the lenses or removing any painter's tape.
It is recommended to remove the lenses before painting. You can do this by using both thumbs simultaneously on the backside of each lens. If they are difficult to remove, take your glasses to a local optical shop to have them removed at no charge.
Clean the frames and lightly rub them with sandpaper.
You can use paint markers or permanent markers. You can also use a small brush to apply Mod Podge for a gloss finish.
