Ethan Clarke
Plastic sunglasses can get scratched easily with everyday wear and tear, but there are ways to restore them. The first step is to clean the sunglasses with a little kitchen soap and a microfiber cloth. If this doesn't work, you can try buffing out the scratches. This can be done with a professional buffer, or by hand with a soft cloth and non-abrasive toothpaste, baking soda, or car wax. If the scratches are deep, it may be necessary to replace the lenses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Refitting plastic frames | Hair dryer |
| Adjusting frames | Needle-nosed pliers |
| Cleaning the lenses | Kitchen soap and a microfiber cloth |
| Removing scratches from lenses | Baking soda or toothpaste, car wax, Armor Etch, sunscreen |
| Polishing plastic frames | Non-abrasive toothpaste, furniture cleaner, CD cleaner, plastic polish and cleaner |
| Replacing lenses | Less expensive than purchasing a new pair of sunglasses |
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What You'll Learn
Refit plastic frames with a hairdryer
Plastic frames can be adjusted using a hairdryer, but it is a risky process that can completely destroy the frames. If you're attempting to fix a cheap pair of sunglasses, a hairdryer is worth a shot. If you don't want your plastic frames to crack or split, it's a good idea to soften the plastic with a hairdryer before attempting to bend it.
To refit plastic frames with a hairdryer, start by identifying the areas where the arms wrap around your ears. Heat these areas with the hairdryer, being careful not to overheat the plastic. Once the plastic is slightly warm, it will become flexible and bendable. Slowly bend the arms outward, taking it a millimetre at a time to avoid over-loosening.
Check the fit often after each bend to ensure you don't make the frames too loose. Once you've achieved the desired fit, allow the frames to cool back down to room temperature. They should then hold their new shape.
You can also use a hairdryer to custom-fit your plastic frames to the shape of your head. Simply heat up the ends of the frames with the hairdryer and mould them to fit your head. Be careful not to overheat the plastic, as you risk warping and damaging the frames.
It's important to note that plastic frames are much harder to adjust than metal ones, and fixing poorly fitted plastic frames can be challenging once the plastic has cooled and hardened. If you're uncomfortable using a heat source, it's best to bring your frames to a professional who can reshape them without damaging them.
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Buff out scratches with toothpaste
Plastic sunglasses can get scratched easily, but there are ways to restore them. One method is to buff out scratches with toothpaste. This process can be repeated for stubborn scratches, but it is important to rinse the toothpaste properly to avoid adverse layering on the sunglasses.
Firstly, clean your sunglasses with a soft cloth and a mild detergent to remove any dirt or grime. Rinse them thoroughly with water and wipe them dry with a clean, soft cloth.
Next, take a pea-sized amount of non-gel, non-abrasive toothpaste and rub it onto the scratches with a soft cloth. You can also apply the toothpaste directly to your sunglasses, but make sure to wipe it with a glass-cleaning cloth afterward.
Afterward, wash the glasses with warm water and use a clean cloth to buff the surface. If your sunglasses have deeper scratches, you may need to repeat this process 4 to 5 times.
In addition to toothpaste, baking soda, car wax, and brass polish can also be used to remove scratches from plastic sunglasses.
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Remove scratches with baking soda
Scratches on plastic sunglasses can be annoying and unsightly, but there are ways to fix them at home. One common method is to use baking soda. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to remove scratches from plastic sunglasses using baking soda:
Prepare the Baking Soda Paste
Start by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water in a bowl. The goal is to create a thick paste, so add the water gradually and stir until you achieve the desired consistency. You can also add vinegar to the mixture, as some sources suggest.
Apply the Paste to the Lenses
Take a soft cotton or microfiber cloth and dip it into the baking soda paste. Apply the paste to the scratched areas of the lenses, using gentle, circular motions. Ensure you cover the scratches evenly and thoroughly.
Rinse and Dry
After applying the paste, thoroughly rinse the lenses with cool or cold water. You can use a soft cloth or a cotton ball to help wipe away the paste and any remaining residue. Make sure to dispose of any items that came into contact with the baking soda paste, except for your lenses.
Inspect the Results
Once your lenses are dry, take a close look at them under good lighting conditions. Check if the scratches have been removed or reduced in appearance. If there are still noticeable scratches, you may need to repeat the process or try a different method.
Repeat if Necessary
If there are stubborn scratches that persist, you can repeat the above process. Be gentle and patient, as it may take multiple attempts to see significant improvement. Remember that deep scratches may not completely disappear, but the treatment should help reduce their visibility.
Using baking soda to remove scratches from plastic sunglasses is a cost-effective and relatively simple solution. However, it may not always deliver perfect results, especially for deep scratches. If the scratches are severe and impair your vision, it is best to consult an optometrist or consider replacing the lenses or sunglasses altogether.
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Use car wax to remove scratches
Scratches on plastic sunglasses can be annoying and affect their appearance and functionality. While some sources suggest that the only way to truly remove scratches is to replace the lenses, there are a few home remedies that you can try to buff out the scratches. Please note that these methods may not be as effective as advertised and could potentially damage your lenses or change their prescription. Always do your research before attempting to use any product on your lenses.
One such method is to use car wax to buff away light scratches. This method involves applying a small amount of car wax to a microfiber cloth and scrubbing your lenses in a circular motion. You can then rinse the lenses with water and dry them with a clean, soft cloth. Repeat the process if necessary. Car wax is more opaque than your lens material, so it can fill in the scratches and make them less noticeable. However, it may also make the scratches more visible and is only a temporary fix.
Before attempting to buff out scratches with car wax, it is important to clean your lenses thoroughly. You can use a microfiber cloth and an approved cleaning product to remove any dirt or debris. Be sure to avoid using abrasive fabrics or tissues, as these can scratch your lenses.
Another popular home remedy for removing scratches from plastic lenses is to create a paste from baking soda and water. Apply this paste to the scratched area using a microfiber cloth or cotton ball and gently rub it in a circular motion. Rinse the lenses with clean water and dry them with a clean cloth. This method aims to wear away the coating on your lenses, making the scratches less visible. However, it is important to note that this method can alter the lenses' coatings and is not endorsed by some sources.
If your sunglasses have deep scratches, you may have no choice but to purchase a new pair. However, if the scratches are shallow, you can try using scratch removal kits available from optical doctors or opticians. These kits provide a more reliable solution for removing scratches from your sunglasses. Additionally, you can use polishing sprays designed for wood furniture or DVDs/CDs. Apply the spray to a soft cloth and rub it onto the lenses in a circular motion. Wash off the spray with warm soapy water, and then use a clean cloth to buff the surface.
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Replace the lenses
If your plastic sunglasses are scratched, cracked, discoloured, or faded, you can replace the lenses to give them a new lease of life.
First, you need to find the model number of your sunglasses. This is usually written inside one of the arms. You can then use the model number to find the correct replacement lenses. The size of the lenses is also important, as you need to order the right size. This information can usually be found on the bridge of the frame, and there will be two measurements: the width of the lenses and the bridge and earpiece length.
Once you have the model number and size, you can order replacement lenses online or from a sunglasses retailer. You can also choose other features such as lens material, colour or tint, and polarization. Polycarbonate plastic lenses are a popular choice for sunglasses as they are light and durable, but they are not very scratch-resistant, so you may want to add a scratch-resistant coating. Glass lenses, on the other hand, offer high scratch resistance but are heavy and fragile, so they are not ideal for everyday use. Polarized lenses are a good option to reduce glare, but if you plan to wear your sunglasses while driving, it's best to opt for grey or green-tinted lenses.
After you've received your new lenses, you can install them yourself at home, but it's recommended to have them replaced by a professional to ensure accurate fitting and avoid damaging the frames or lenses.
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Frequently asked questions
Try using a plastic cleaner, such as 3M Plastic Cleaner, to renew plastic surfaces safely while cleaning.
First, clean your glasses with a soft cloth and kitchen soap. If that doesn't work, you can try buffing out the scratches. You can do this by using a soft cloth and non-abrasive toothpaste, baking soda, car wax, or furniture cleaner.
If the scratch is too deep, you may need to replace the lenses. Replacement lenses are typically far less expensive than purchasing a new pair of sunglasses.
Adjusting your glasses on your own is not easy, so be careful when doing it. If things go wrong, it is recommended to go to an eyeglasses retailer to get them straightened out.
