Popping Plastic Lenses: A Guide To Changing Your Sunglass Look

how to pop plastic lenses into sunglasses

Popping lenses into sunglasses can be a tricky task, and it is recommended to consult an optician or optometrist to avoid damaging your glasses. However, if you want to attempt this yourself, there are a few methods you can try. Firstly, you need to determine whether your sunglasses have snap-in lenses or if they are secured with screws. If they are secured with screws, you will need to use a suitable screwdriver to loosen and remove them before attempting to pop out the lenses. To pop out the lenses, you can try using gentle pressure with your thumb near the nose bridge area, or you can try heating up the frames with hot water or a hairdryer to make the plastic more flexible. Once the lenses are removed, you can insert the new lenses by aligning them with the frame's groove and popping them into place.

Characteristics Values
When to pop out lenses When lenses are scratched beyond repair or outdated
Tools required Screwdriver, bowl, hot water, hairdryer, cloth, towel
Steps 1. Locate screws holding the lenses. 2. Remove screws with a screwdriver. 3. Hold the frame with one hand and place the thumb of the other hand on the front of the lens, just under the bridge of the nose. 4. Gently push the lens inward to pop it out. 5. Repeat for the other lens.
Precautions Do not use high heat as it may melt or deform the frame. Do not apply too much pressure. Use a microfiber cloth to avoid fingerprints on the lens.
Professional services Optical stores and online lens replacement services offer professional lens removal and replacement services.

shunpoly

Locate the screws holding the lenses

To pop out the lenses of your sunglasses, you must first locate the screws holding the lenses in place. The location of the screws depends on the style of your sunglasses frame. Begin by checking the inside of your frames to see if there are two screws on the nose bridge. If there are no screws there, look on the sides of your frames, underneath the arm hinges. If you still can't find any screws, check along the bottom rim around your lenses to see if they are hidden there.

If your sunglasses have metal frames, you will need to use an eyeglass screwdriver to remove the screws. Place the glasses on a clean, flat surface, and use the screwdriver to turn the screws in a counterclockwise direction until they come out completely. Be sure to do this over a cloth to catch any screws and store them somewhere safe.

If your sunglasses have plastic frames, you can heat the frames to loosen the plastic and pop out the lenses without removing any screws. Fill a shallow bowl with hot water and place the glasses in the bowl so that the lenses are face down. Leave the frames in the water for about a minute to heat the plastic and make it easier to bend.

Once the plastic is heated, you can gently push on the concave side of the lenses to pop them out of place. Place your thumb on the lens just under the nose bridge and gently push the lens forward so that it slides out from the frame. Repeat this process for the other lens.

shunpoly

Loosen the screws with a screwdriver

To loosen the screws on your sunglasses with a screwdriver, you will first need to locate the screws. Typically, screws on sunglasses are located near the nose bridge, on the bottom rim, or on the sides of the frames underneath the arm hinges. Once you have located the screws, you can proceed to loosen them.

Before you begin, it is recommended to place a cloth or towel underneath your work area. This will help catch the screws if they fall out and prevent them from rolling away or getting lost. It will also protect your lenses in case you drop your sunglasses during the process.

Now, let's get started on loosening the screws. Hold the frame securely in one hand, ensuring a firm grip to avoid accidental drops. With your other hand, pick up the screwdriver. You may need to use a small screwdriver, as eyeglass screws tend to be tiny. Position the screwdriver on the screw head and turn it in a counterclockwise direction to loosen the screw. Be gentle and careful during this step to avoid stripping the screw or applying too much force.

If you find that the screw is difficult to loosen or is stripped, there are a few additional techniques you can try. One method is to apply a small amount of super glue to the screw head or even directly onto the screwdriver before attempting to loosen it again. This creates friction and helps grip the screw, making it easier to turn. However, this method may damage the screw, and you should exercise caution to avoid getting glue on other parts of your sunglasses.

Alternatively, you can use a specialised tool kit designed for eyeglass repairs, such as the SnapIt Screw Kit. These kits are designed to simplify the process of tightening and loosening tiny screws and typically include tools like screw extractors and replacement screws with feeder tips for easier alignment. Such kits are widely available and can make the process of loosening screws on your sunglasses more manageable.

Easy Open, Easy Reseal: Plastic Packages

You may want to see also

shunpoly

Warm the frames with hot water or a hairdryer

Warming the frames with hot water or a hairdryer is a common method to pop plastic lenses out of sunglasses. This method helps to loosen the plastic so that the lenses can be popped out. It is important to be cautious and not overheat the frames, as this could cause permanent damage.

To use the hot water method, fill a shallow bowl with the hottest water you can handle from your sink. Ensure the bowl is deep enough to completely submerge the frames. Place a towel under the bowl to prevent spills and protect the lenses if they are dropped. Then, place the glasses in the bowl, ensuring the concave side of the lenses is facing up. Leave the frames in the water for around one minute to heat the plastic, making it easier to bend.

Alternatively, a hairdryer can be used to warm up the plastic frames. Hold the hairdryer about 6 inches (15 cm) from the glasses frames and turn it on to a medium heat and speed setting. Move the dryer around the frames near the lenses for around 5 minutes, being careful not to use a high heat setting to avoid melting or deforming the frames.

Once the frames are warmed up using either method, you can proceed to pop out the lenses. Hold the frames with one hand and place your thumb on the nose bridge. With your other hand, gently push the corner of the lens until it pops out of the frame. It is recommended to remove one lens at a time to avoid accidentally dropping them. If the lenses don't come out right away, try heating the frames in hot water again for another minute.

shunpoly

Pop out the lenses with gentle pressure

Popping out the lenses of your sunglasses with gentle pressure is a simple process, but it requires caution to avoid damaging your frames or lenses. Before you begin, it is recommended that you consult an optometrist or the customer support of the company where you purchased your sunglasses. If you proceed, you do so at your own risk.

First, examine your sunglasses to determine how the frames hold the lenses. Your frames may be fitted with snap-in lenses or have lenses secured with small screws on two sides, typically near the nose bridge or the bottom rim. If your lenses are secured with screws, use a suitable screwdriver to carefully loosen and remove them. Place a folded towel under your sunglasses as you work to cushion any potential drops.

Now, you are ready to pop out the lenses with gentle pressure. Hold the frames with one hand, and use the thumb of your other hand to gently push the lens inward, starting from the corner or side closest to the nose bridge. You can also try pushing the lens forward so that it slides out from the frame. Repeat this process for the other lens.

If your lenses do not come out easily, you can try heating the frames to loosen the plastic. Use a hairdryer on a medium heat setting, holding it about 6 inches away from the frames. You can also soak your frames in hot water for a minute. Be careful not to use excessive heat, as this may damage your frames or lenses.

shunpoly

Align the new lenses and tighten the screws

When you are ready to insert the new lenses, it is important to be careful and precise. Firstly, ensure the new lenses are the correct size and shape for your frames. You can do this by holding the lenses up to the frames and checking that they are a similar size and shape to the old lenses.

Now, you need to align the new lenses with the frame's groove (or bevel). The lens should fit into the groove of the frame. Hold the frame with one hand and use the other hand to gently push the lens into place. You may need to gently bend the frame to get the lens to fit.

Once the lens is secured into the groove, you can tighten the screw back into place. Be careful not to over-tighten the screw, as this could damage the frame. Use a suitable screwdriver and turn the screw in a clockwise direction to tighten it.

Double-check that the lens is secure by gently trying to move it with your finger. If it feels secure, you can move on to the other lens. Repeat the process for the other lens, making sure to align it correctly and tighten the screw.

Finally, once both lenses are secure, check the alignment of the lenses in the frames. Ensure they are straight and level with each other. Your new lenses are now ready to use!

Frequently asked questions

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment