Remove Scratches From Plastic Lenses

Most people who wear glasses have experienced the frustration that comes from scratched lenses. Replacement is the only long-term fix, but for those with plastic lenses, there are some options that can make your glasses wearable until you are able to get new lenses. Keep in mind that many of these at-home fixes will remove the protective anti-glare coating at the same time it removes the scratches, so proceed with care.

Steps

Using Household Items to Polish Scratches

  1. Use brass, silver, or wood polish. Put on gloves. With the lenses in front of you, pour a few drops of brass or silver polish, or spray with wood polish onto the area of the lens where the scratches are located. Be sure to be in a well-ventilated area -- these products can be smelly.[1]
    • Take a soft rag and wipe lenses.
    • Be sure to use a lint-free cloth.
    • Spray with lens cleaner (available at drug stores and opticians) if the rag will not get all of it off.
  2. Choose toothpaste as a scratch remover. It needs to be non-abrasive and not have gel, mint, or whitening properties. Use a cotton ball to rub the toothpaste into the scratches for about ten seconds.[1]
    • Rinse the toothpaste off with cool water.
    • If there is any remaining, use a lint-free cloth to wipe it off.
  3. Make a baking soda mixture. Use 1 part water to 2 parts soda and mix. Using a cotton ball, rub it into the glasses for ten seconds.
    • Rinse off the baking soda mixture with cool water.
    • Wipe any remaining off with a lint-free cloth.
  4. Use car wax. Keep in mind that the wax will fill in the scratches, making them disappear. However, this method requires upkeep -- you will need to keep adding wax every few days.[1]
    • Apply some wax to a soft cloth.
    • Rub the wax on the glasses with a circular motion.
    • Keep going until the glasses are well coated.
    • Wipe off with another soft cloth. Keep in mind it might take multiple clean cloths to remove all of the wax.

Buying Products to Help

  1. Buy glass etching cream. This product, available at craft stores, removes the coating on plastic lenses (which is where the majority of scratches are) and leaves the lens itself intact. Keep in mind that the coating on glasses serves an important purpose, typically as an anti-glare feature. The glasses might seem different after the coating has been removed by the glass etching cream.[2]
    • Put on gloves.
    • Place a small amount of the glass etching cream on the glasses
    • Rub into the glasses for a few minutes
    • Rinse with water
    • Wipe with a lint-free cloth
  2. Try to find hydrofluoric acid. It is often difficult to get, but is the best for taking off the coating of plastic lenses. Keep in mind that you will need to use it outside and wear gloves.[3]
    • Put a few dots on the glasses
    • Rub for a few minutes
    • Rinse off
    • Wipe with a lint-free rag
  3. Buy a scratch removing product. These products are typically a paste which removes some of the coating of the lenses. They are often specifically to get out the scratches in glasses, and are not as toxic as some of the other options.
    • Put a few drops of the product on the lenses
    • Rub for a few minutes
    • Wipe off with a lint-free cloth

Preventing Scratches

  1. Use a case. Even for cheap glasses or sunglasses, have a case to put them in. It can be hard or soft -- it just needs to keep the glasses protected. This will increase the life of your glasses.
  2. Avoid tissues or paper towels to clean your glasses. Even though they may not be visible, these paper products are slightly abrasive and will cause small scratches in the glass or plastic. Use a lint-free cloth instead.[4]
  3. Keep glasses away from hairspray and nail polish remover. Both products can put permanent spots on your lenses. When using hairspray, take off your glasses or shield your glasses with your hand on your forehead. Don’t allow your glasses to rest near any nail polish remover.[5]
  4. Refrain from using glass cleaner on your glasses. Even though this may sound like a great idea, it’s meant for window glass without coating. It’s not meant for your lenses, which are coated with products to reduce glare. Glass cleaner can damage your lenses.[4]
  5. Take care of your lenses. Wash both sides with warm water and a small amount of hand soap. Rise well. Then dry with a lint-free cloth. Keeping your glasses clean will also help prevent scratches, since dirt can get on your lenses and then turn into a scratch when you rub them with a cloth.

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 http://www.sunglasswarehouse.com/blog/how-to-remove-scratches-from-sunglasses/
  2. ↑ http://www.wisebread.com/armor-etch-can-be-a-cheap-fix-for-your-scratched-eyeglasses
  3. ↑ http://glassescrafter.com/information/remove-scratches-from-eyeglasses.html
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://www.summitmedicalgroup.com/library/adult_health/ea_eyeglass_care/
  5. ↑ http://lakeplainseyecenter.com/faqs-caring-for-your-eyeglasses/

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