Sofia Martinez
Polishing plastic eyeglass lenses can be a tricky process, with many conflicting methods available online. The most common method involves using a soft polishing pad or microfibre cloth with a small amount of metal or silver polish, toothpaste, or baking soda to buff out scratches. Other methods include using glass etching abrasives, wax, or acetone, but these may not be as effective or may damage the lenses. It's important to note that some methods may only work on certain types of plastic, and it's always a good idea to consult a professional before attempting any DIY lens polishing.
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What You'll Learn
Clean lenses with a microfibre cloth and glasses cleaner
To clean lenses with a microfibre cloth and glasses cleaner, first ensure your hands are clean and free of any lotion or additive ingredients, such as fabric softener, as these can smear your lenses. Next, hold your glasses under running lukewarm or warm water for around 15 seconds to displace and dislodge excess grime.
After rinsing your glasses, apply a pea-sized drop of dish soap to the front and back of each lens. Gently rub the soap into the lenses with your fingers, creating a light lather. You can also use this lather to clean other parts of your glasses, such as the nose pads, hinges, and frames. However, be cautious not to over-soap, as the residue can damage lens coatings and cause skin irritation. Ensure the soap you use is free of any skin-softening agents or abrasives.
Once you have applied the soap, rinse your glasses thoroughly under running water to remove any remaining soap. Then, gently dry your glasses with a clean, lint-free microfibre cloth. Microfibre cloths are the safest and most effective tool for cleaning lenses without causing smearing or scratching. Be sure to wash your microfibre cloth regularly, as a dirty cloth can negate your cleaning efforts.
Finally, hold your glasses up to the light to inspect for any remaining smudges or debris. If necessary, repeat the process, or apply a glasses cleaning solution to the lenses and wipe them with the microfibre cloth. It is recommended to clean your lenses daily to maintain clarity and prevent eye infections and conditions.
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Apply scratch remover, like toothpaste or baking soda
It is important to note that while home remedies like toothpaste or baking soda are popular methods for removing scratches from plastic eyeglass lenses, they are not endorsed by optometrists. These methods will remove the protective coatings on your lenses, and in the case of toothpaste, may also worsen the scratches. If your lenses have sustained major scratches, it is best to consult an optometrist or eye doctor to discuss the best options.
If you wish to proceed with home remedies, you can try using toothpaste or baking soda. Firstly, clean your glasses with a microfiber cloth and a cleaner made specifically for eyeglasses. This will help you identify the location and extent of the scratches.
For the toothpaste method, dab a non-abrasive toothpaste onto the scratch. Using a cotton ball, gently rub the toothpaste in a circular motion over the scratch. Rinse the lenses with cool water and wipe them dry with a non-abrasive cloth. Note that toothpaste contains abrasive chemicals that can damage the protective coatings on your lenses, such as hard coat, UV coating, anti-glare treatments, or tints.
For the baking soda method, mix baking soda with water in a bowl to create a thick paste. Start with a couple of teaspoons or a tablespoon of baking soda and gradually add water until you achieve the desired consistency. Apply the paste to the scratched area of the lens, using a separate microfiber cloth to gently rub it in a circular motion. Rinse the lenses with water to remove the paste, and then dry them with a clean microfiber cloth. Inspect the scratches. If they are still visible, repeat the process until you achieve the desired results. However, it is important to remember that this method also removes the protective coatings on your lenses and may not be effective for all types of scratches.
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Try metal polish and alcohol, especially for blue light glasses
If you want to polish your eyeglass plastic lenses, especially blue light glasses, you can try using metal polish and alcohol. Blue light glasses are designed to filter out harmful blue light from digital screens, reducing eye strain and improving sleep patterns. However, the lenses can get dirty, dusty, or smudged, obstructing the filtration process and causing eye strain.
Before you start polishing, clean your lenses with lukewarm water and a mild dish soap to remove any dirt, dust, or debris. Avoid using hot water as this can damage the delicate blue-light coating on the lens surface. Gently rub a few drops of soap on both sides of the lenses and the frames, and be sure to clean the nose pads, which are breeding grounds for bacteria. Rinse the soap off with lukewarm water and dry with a microfiber cloth.
Now, you can begin the polishing process. Apply a small amount of metal polish, such as Brasso, to the lens. Use a clean cloth or tissue to buff away the scratches on the lens. Be patient, as this may take some time. After you've finished buffing, apply some alcohol to a cotton ball and thoroughly clean the lenses. Be careful not to inhale the fumes.
If you don't want to use metal polish and alcohol, there are other methods you can try. One option is to use a scratch remover product, such as toothpaste, and rub it on the scratch in a circular motion with a cotton ball. You can also try using a glass etching abrasive designed for glass art projects, which will remove any coatings but leave the plastic lenses intact. Remember that it's important to verify that your lenses are plastic and not glass before attempting any of these methods, as they can damage glass lenses.
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Use wax or furniture polish to fill in scratches
If you have scratches on your plastic lenses, you may be able to fix them quickly and cheaply using common household products. However, it's important to note that removing scratches from prescription glasses can be risky, and you may end up making the scratches worse or damaging your glasses in some other way. Most DIY solutions are not as effective as advertised and can remove coatings from your lenses, such as anti-glare protection or blue light filters.
If scratches remain after trying other methods, you can apply a product that will fill in the scratches temporarily with wax or furniture polish. This will allow you to see clearly through your glasses, but it will need to be reapplied weekly. It's important to note that wax is more opaque than your lens material and can make scratches more noticeable. It will also remove all coatings from your lenses, leaving them more vulnerable to future scratches.
To use wax or furniture polish to fill in scratches, start by cleaning the surface of your lenses with a lens cleaner and a microfiber cloth. This will help you identify the location of the scratches. Choose a wax or furniture polish product that contains wax, such as Lemon Pledge or Turtle Wax. Apply the product to your lenses using a clean microfiber cloth, rubbing it in a circular motion. Then, wipe off any excess product with a clean area of the cloth.
Be careful not to get the wax or furniture polish on your frames, as it may damage them. It is also important to verify that your lenses are made of plastic before using this method, as it will permanently damage glass lenses. Additionally, if your lenses have a non-reflective coating, any scratch removal method may damage the lens.
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Finish with heat or acetone vapour
Finishing with Heat or Acetone Vapour
Vapor polishing, also known as solvent polishing, is a popular method for achieving a glossier and smoother surface finish. Vapor polishing is commonly used in applications that require high levels of transparency, such as optical lenses, windscreens, and laboratory equipment. This method involves using a chemical vapour that heats the rough surface, causing it to flow and smooth out any roughness or dulling. While highly effective, vapor polishing requires a high level of skill and experience.
The type of plastic used in your eyeglass lenses will determine whether heat or acetone vapour is the appropriate finishing method. For example, EP5000 lenses, which are made from a PC-based resin, are more suitable for vapour polishing than flame polishing. It's important to note that attempting to re-polish lenses may ruin their shape and render them unusable.
If you decide to proceed with vapour polishing, it is crucial to follow proper safety measures and work in a well-ventilated area. Additionally, you will need to gather the necessary supplies, such as a chemical solvent like Weld-ON 4, and assemble them in a controlled environment. Before polishing, ensure that the polycarbonate surface is properly prepared.
After vapour polishing, the lenses must be annealed to prevent crazing over time. Annealing involves heating the lenses to a peak temperature and then slowly cooling them at a controlled rate. For polycarbonate lenses, the annealing temperature is typically around 120°C, and the cooling rate should not exceed 5°C per hour.
While vapor polishing can effectively improve optical clarity and remove minor scratches, it may not be suitable for deeper scratches. In such cases, chemical polishing might be a more appropriate method as it can fill in deeper cuts and scratches.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use a non-abrasive toothpaste and rub it on the scratch in a circular motion with a cotton ball. Then, rinse it with cool water. Alternatively, you can use metal polish, such as Brasso, with a clean cloth to buff away scratches.
You can use vehicle cleaning wax, which is less abrasive than toothpaste. You can also try brass or silver polish with a soft rag.
Avoid using Plexus plastic cleaner, as it may ruin your lenses.
Use a cleaner made specifically for glasses and a clean microfiber cloth. You can also use water, but it may not be as effective as a lens cleaning solution.
You can apply a product that will fill the scratches temporarily with wax, such as Turtle Wax or Lemon Pledge. Alternatively, you can use a scratch filling product. However, these methods will remove all coatings from your lenses.
