Sofia Martinez
Plastic eyeglass frames often require heating before they can be adjusted. This is because plastic is generally more brittle than metal, and therefore needs to be softened with heat before it can be bent without breaking. There are several ways to heat plastic eyeglass frames, including using hot water, a hairdryer, hot sand, or a frame heater. However, it is important to exercise caution when heating plastic frames, as applying heat to the wrong material can ruin a frame in seconds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to heat | When the plastic frame is one arm too high, or has been stretched from putting them on your head, or if they are crooked. |
| Why heat | To make the plastic frame flexible enough to be adjusted. |
| How to heat | Using hot air, a hairdryer, hot sand, a warm washcloth, friction from your fingers, hot tap water, a salt pan, or a glass bead pan. |
| When not to heat | If the frame is made of carbon, polycarbonate, or kevlar. If the frame is old, use heat with caution as older materials may react oddly when exposed to heat. |
| How to adjust after heating | Hold the frame in the desired position and in the heat source until you feel it begin to bend. Then, remove it from the heat source and hold it in place until it cools, or run it under cold water. |
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What You'll Learn
Use a hairdryer or hot water
To adjust your plastic eyeglass frames with a hairdryer, first, identify the part of the frame that you want to adjust. This could be the temple end piece, which is the part that goes over your ear. Next, turn on your hairdryer and hold it a few inches away from the frame. Move the hairdryer back and forth to evenly heat the area. Be careful not to overheat the frame—you just want it to be a little warm and pliable. Once you've achieved the desired level of warmth, hold the frame in the position you desire and bend it gently. Remember to exercise caution as heat can damage frames and frame finishes.
If you're using hot water, place a bowl of hot tap water on a towel to protect your surfaces. Then, carefully immerse the temple end piece into the water for around 30 seconds, being careful to keep the lenses out of the water. Remove the frame from the water and test the temperature with your fingertip to ensure it's not too hot. Hold the glasses face-up and place your four fingers under the temple, with your index finger resting at the natural temple bend to support the frames. Use your other hand to slowly and gently push the temple end down, bending it against your index finger. Repeat this process on the other side if needed.
When using hot water or a hairdryer to adjust your plastic eyeglass frames, it's important to be cautious and avoid overheating. Always test the temperature before handling the frames and be gentle when bending to avoid breakage. Additionally, always hold the frames in the desired position and remove them from the heat source as soon as you feel them begin to move or soften. Run them under cold water to cool them down if needed.
It's worth noting that not all plastic frames can be adjusted using heat. Some materials, like carbon, polycarbonate, and Kevlar, cannot be adjusted. Before applying any heat, it's recommended to identify the type of plastic your frames are made of and check with the manufacturer or online sources for specific adjustment procedures. Always use caution when adjusting your eyeglass frames at home, and if you're unsure, it's best to consult an optician for professional assistance.
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Heat to 200-300°F for Optyl frames
Optyl is a thermosetting plastic with a "memory effect". This means that the frames will return to their original shape after bending. To adjust an Optyl frame, you need to heat it to a specific temperature that makes the material pliable enough to adjust. This is usually between 200-300°F.
It is important to note that Optyl frames cannot simply be reheated to adjust their shape. The process of reshaping Optyl frames requires a careful approach, balancing the need for a comfortable fit with the material's unique characteristics. Once the frame has been heated and adjusted, it needs to cool down and set into its new shape. Avoid exposing adjusted Optyl frames to high temperatures, as this can cause them to revert to their original shape.
Due to the unique properties of Optyl, adjustments should be carried out by an experienced optician. An optician will have access to a specialised heating unit that can gently heat the frames to the required temperature. They will also know the limitations of Optyl frames and how much they can be adjusted.
If you are cautious and aware of the potential risks, it is possible to adjust Optyl frames at home. One method is to use a glass bead pan, which heats plastic to a point where it can be reshaped or adjusted. Another method is to use a modern hot air blower.
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Salt pans and glass beads
To adjust a plastic eyeglass frame, you will need to heat it up and reshape it. There are two types of heating elements that can be used for this: a "salt pan", which contains heated glass beads, and a hot air blower. The former is the more traditional method, while the latter is more modern and prevalent.
Salt pans with glass beads are used by opticians to heat plastic frames so that they can be reshaped or adjusted. The glass beads are heated up and the frame is held in the salt pan until the desired area is soft enough to be reshaped. The beads come in two sizes: fine, which is about the texture of sugar, and large, which are about the size of "BBs". Opticians will shape the beads into a small peak and heat specific areas of the frame to perform minute adjustments. However, it is important to note that the beads can damage some modern frame materials, and overheating of parts seems to be more prevalent with bead pans compared to hot air blowers.
Hot air blowers, on the other hand, are a more convenient and less messy option for heating plastic eyeglass frames. They are also becoming more prevalent, so it may be best to learn to work with hot air instead of a salt pan. Fine adjustments are slightly more challenging to make using hot air, but it is far less messy and eliminates the problem of glass beads rolling around, jamming spring hinges, and sticking to frames. When using a hot air blower, hold the frame in the desired position (stressed) in the heat source until you feel it begin to bend. Then, remove it from the heat source and hold it in place until it cools, or run it under cold water.
It is important to note that not all plastic frames are suitable for heating and adjustment. Always check with the manufacturer before attempting to adjust your frames. Some older materials may react oddly when exposed to heat, and certain types of plastic, such as carbon, cannot be adjusted at all. Additionally, be cautious when applying heat to plastic lenses, as they can discolor or warp if exposed to high temperatures.
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Avoid boiling water
To adjust plastic eyeglass frames, it is essential to heat them before they become flexible enough to be adjusted. While boiling water can be a simple way to heat plastic, it is not recommended due to the risk of damage and discolouration. Instead, opt for alternative methods such as using a hairdryer, a warm washcloth, or the friction of your fingers.
Using boiling water to heat plastic eyeglass frames can be too intense and risky. Boiling water can exceed the temperature required to make the plastic pliable, leading to potential damage to the frames. The excessive heat can cause the plastic to become brittle and more prone to snapping, even after being heated. It is crucial to avoid excessive heat to prevent such issues.
Another concern with using boiling water is the potential for discolouration. The high temperature of boiling water can cause the plastic to change colour, leaving unsightly marks on the frames. This discolouration can ruin the appearance of the eyeglasses and may be challenging to reverse.
Furthermore, boiling water can be challenging to control in terms of temperature and application. It is difficult to ensure that the water remains at a consistent temperature throughout the process, which can lead to uneven heating of the frames. Additionally, there is a risk of spilling boiling water, posing safety hazards and potentially damaging the lenses or other components of the eyeglasses.
Alternative methods, such as a hairdryer, warm washcloth, or finger friction, provide more control over the heating process. These methods allow for gradual and gentle heating, reducing the risk of damage and discolouration. By using a hairdryer, you can adjust the temperature and distance to achieve the desired level of heat without exceeding the safe limit. Similarly, a warm washcloth or finger friction provides a slower and more precise approach to heating, allowing you to feel the frames' flexibility and stop before any potential harm.
In conclusion, while boiling water can heat plastic eyeglass frames, it is advisable to avoid it due to the risks involved. Alternative methods, such as those mentioned above, provide safer and more controlled ways to heat the frames effectively without causing damage, discolouration, or compromising the integrity of the plastic. Remember always to work in small increments, test the frame's flexibility, and stop if you feel any resistance while bending.
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Heat until soft, hold, then cool
Most plastic eyeglass frames will need to be heated before they can be adjusted. Heat can damage frames and frame finishes, so it is important to be cautious. If you are unsure about the type of frame you have, call the manufacturer and ask about adjustment procedures before heating it.
To heat your plastic eyeglass frames, you can use a conventional heat source such as a hairdryer or hot air blower, or a salt pan containing heated glass beads. If using a hairdryer, be careful not to get the frames blisteringly hot and super-pliable—you just want them to be a little warm. If using a salt pan, the beads will need to be changed periodically to reduce sticking and hotspots.
Once your heat source is ready, hold the frames in the heat source in the position you desire until you feel the frame begin to bend. When you feel movement, remove the frames from the heat source and hold them in place until they cool, or run them under cold water.
If you are adjusting the temple ends, place your four fingers under the temple, with your index finger resting at the natural temple bend to support the frames. Use your other hand to slowly and gently push the temple end down. You should feel it bend against your index finger. When one side is complete, repeat with the other temple end.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic frames need to be heated to become flexible enough to adjust. Once heated, they can be bent back into position and straightened.
There are several ways to heat plastic eyeglass frames, including hot sand, a hairdryer, hot water, or a frame heater.
If your frames are out of alignment, stretched, or bent, they may need to be heated and adjusted.
