There is nothing worse than wearing glasses and noticing that you cannot see well because the lenses are full of scratches. If your glasses are fitted with shatterproof lenses, you can remove small scratches without much effort by using products commonly available in the home. Try one of the methods described in this article to "fix" scratched plastic lenses.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Remove Superficial Scratches from Lenses
Step 1. Clean the lens surface to understand where the scratches are located
Use a specific eyeglass cleaner and a microfiber cloth. You can find these products in an optician or optometry office. The optician is likely to gift them to you if you bought your glasses at their store.
Step 2. Apply a solution to remove the scratches
There is a wide range of products that are capable of doing this. Start dabbing a little non-abrasive toothpaste on the surface of the lenses. Rub it on the scratches with a cotton swab in a circular motion, then rinse with cold water. If the incision is deep, you will need to repeat the process several times.
If you don't have non-abrasive toothpaste, you can make a paste with baking soda and water. Put the baking soda in a bowl and add a small amount of water to form a thick paste. Rub the mixture just as directed in the toothpaste method and then rinse off when the scratch is gone
Step 3. Eliminate excess product
If you are unable to remove it with a cloth or cotton swab, wash your glasses with cold water and then dry them with a soft cloth.
Step 4. Try another cleanser if the baking soda or toothpaste hasn't worked
Try polishing the scratches with a brass or silver polish and a soft cloth. Rub the product on your glasses and then wipe off the excess with a clean, non-abrasive cloth. Repeat this process until the scratch is gone.
Pay close attention to the frame when using a non-specific eyeglass cleaner. Avoid that the product comes into contact with the structure, because you do not know what reaction could take place between the two materials
Step 5. Apply scratch filler if any traces remain
If you still notice scratches on the surface of the unbreakable lenses, you can use a filler (such as a "putty") that temporarily closes the grooves with wax. Simply rub the product with a microfiber cloth following circular movements; finally remove the excess filler with a clean area of the rag. This way you will be able to see well through the glasses, but you will have to apply the product every week.
The filling products are the same that are used to wax the car; you can do some research to make sure they don't contain ingredients that are harmful to the lens material
Step 6. Put on your glasses
You should be able to see much better through the "repaired" lenses.
Method 2 of 2: Remove Scratches from Treated Lenses
Step 1. Make sure your lenses are shatterproof and not glass
This method can be used alone for plastic lenses, because it could irreversibly damage those in mineral material. Also, be aware that this technique should be considered as a last resort even for shatterproof lenses, as it will remove any surface treatment from them. This means that once the hardener and antireflection are removed, the lenses will no longer have any protection and will be more prone to deep scratches in the future.
Only practice this method if you are willing to lose the anti-reflective and hardener from your glasses. Sometimes the scratch that obscures your vision only affects these surface treatments, and by removing them, you can see well again. It is best to rely on this solution only as a last resort before giving up and buying a new pair of glasses
Step 2. Clean the surface of the shatterproof lenses as you normally would
Use a specific cleaner and a microfiber cloth. This way you can control the size of the scratches well.
Step 3. Purchase a specific abrasive stain for glass that is used for art projects
You can buy it at any fine art store.
- This product contains hydrofluoric acid, which is capable of dissolving virtually any material except plastic. When you apply it to the lenses, the acid "eats" the surface treatments and leaves the base intact.
- You will also need rubber gloves to spread the product, so buy these too if you don't already have them at home.
Step 4. Put on your gloves before handling the mordant, and remove the lenses from your glasses before applying
You will also need a small plastic container to store the lenses in while they are coated in acid. Make sure that the container will not be used to hold food in the future.
Step 5. Apply the stain to the lenses with a cloth or cotton swab
Put them in the plastic container and wait for the acid to work for a few minutes.
Step 6. Remove any product residue with a soft cloth or swab
Rinse your lenses with cold water and dispose of any objects that have come into contact with the bite in the trash (except the lenses, of course).
Step 7. Put the lenses back into the frame and put on your glasses
Now they don't have the hardening and anti-reflective treatment but you should see a lot better.
Advice
- You can also buy a specific polisher for plastic material, but be aware that this is not a product designed for unbreakable prescription lenses. It will remove the treatment from the lenses, but it doesn't necessarily scratch the plastic as well.
- If you're constantly scratching shatterproof lenses, consider purchasing hard-coated lenses. However, this too may get scratched over time. The best defense against grooves is to treat your glasses gently and store them in the case when not in use.
- Before attempting any of the methods described here, make sure your lenses are not dirty. Rinse them with warm soapy water to get rid of any residue stuck in the scratches.
- Take your glasses to an optician if you are unable to remove the scratches. A professional has the tools to polish the lens surface again.
- If you go back to the store where you bought your glasses, the optician could polish your lenses for free.
- If the anti-reflective coating on your cheap glasses flakes off, wipe the lenses with 45-degree sunscreen and a clean cloth. This way you should be able to completely eliminate the rest of the anti-glare allowing you to see well again.
