Tips For Getting Rid Of Scratches From Sunglasses
Is there anything more annoying than looking for your glasses to deal with a blindingly sunny day only to discover that your favorite glasses are covered in unsightly scratches? You can certainly go ahead and wear them, but you will never feel comfortable with those nicks and dings coming in your line of vision. Also, those scratched-up glasses are not going to look good anyway; after all, who would go out wearing scuffed-up sneakers.
It is easy to get those glasses scratched up while handling them unless of course, you live in a world made of pillows, marshmallows, and eiderdown. Sunglasses for men are not cheap, especially if you go for some branded ones, but even the best of brands would not last if you do not know how to take the right care of those glasses. No matter how good they are, simply drop those shades on the ground lens-first and you’re done! Even if you have bought polarizing hiking sunglasses thinking they are scratch resistant and can withstand a very rough use, you’re wrong. It’s just a matter of time when you end up having scratches on those expensive hiking or even skiing sunglasses.
But, when it’s done and you know you have scratches to deal with, how do you proceed? Should you simply go looking for a new pair? Hold your horses; we’ve compiled a few very effective ways to help remove scratches from sunglasses. Give them a shot and see if they help make things better.
Use Silver or Brass Polish
A simple way to get rid of those scratches – if they’re not serious – is to make use of brass or silver polish.
- Simply take a small amount of silver or brass polish and apply it to the lenses using a cotton ball. Be sure to rub it gently.
- Once done, take some lint-free cloth and use it to remove any excess polish from the lenses.
- Keep repeating the same until you have no scratches left.
Try the Combo of Baking Powder and Toothpaste
The combination of baking powder and toothpaste is supposed to work because the micro-abrasives within the soda help buff out the scratch and leave you with a smoother lens. However, you need to keep in mind that the method usually works when the scratch is not that deep. For deep gouges, you’ll have to try something else.
- Start by cleaning the glass thoroughly. For this, you can consider using a lint-free cloth.
- Now take some non-gel toothpaste and add some baking soda to it. Don’t add too much of soda or it may damage the lens even more.
- Take a soft cloth and apply some of this paste to it. Now, use it to clean the lens. You should be rubbing it gently into the scratch for a minute or so.
- Be sure to move in a circular motion. Once done, use a damp cloth to remove the paste from the lens. Finish by drying the lens using some lint-free cloth.
- Repeat a few times to get good results.
Make Use of Sunscreen
In case you’re looking for a way to get rid of scratches from lenses with mirror coating, you may consider giving sunscreen a shot. The method works quite effectively, especially if the scratch has only affected the top, mirrored layer. What it also means is that you may find it quite ineffective if the scratch has found its way down to the glass or plastic. Moreover, you need to bear in mind that the method works by removing the mirror coating, which means you just cannot go with spot treatment and has to target the entire coating that may change the appearance of your lenses to a certain extent. It may also strip any UV coating you may have on your lens, which exposes your eyes to great risk.
If you know what you’re getting yourself into and your main goal is to get rid of the scratch itself, here is what to do.
- Start by cleaning your glasses as best as you can. Use a dry lint-free cloth for cleaning.
- You should use oil-free, SPF 45 sunscreen for the task. Now apply some sunscreen to the cloth and rub it into the scratch. You have to move in a circular motion and continue rubbing for a while.
- Finish by using another clean cloth to get rid of any sunscreen.
- Sunscreen works because it contains a fine aluminum powder that removes the coating. Repeat application may help get rid of minor scratches.
Using Water and Soda
Baking soda seems to be one of the best ingredients for removing scratches from glass. You can make your glasses usable by using the combination of baking soda and water. Here is what to do:
- Take two parts baking soda and one part water. Combine both these ingredients in a small bowl and mix thoroughly.
- You will get a thick paste after some time that you need to rub into the scratch with the help of a cloth. You can also use a cotton ball for application. Always move in a circular motion.
- Once you have applied it thoroughly, use cool water to get rid of the paste. You can also use some lint-free cloth to remove any excess paste.
- Repeat if needed.
Use Vehicle Wax
A good way to remove a minor scratch is to use car wax. It works as a compound to help buff out minor scratches. You need to apply the wax the way you apply it to your car. Take a soft cloth, apply some wax on it, and polish away in small circular motions. Be sure to repeat the process every few weeks to get good results.
Make Use of the Sandpaper
It may sound a bit weird but the truth is that using the sandpaper carefully can help remove scratches from your favorite Ray-Ban sunglasses. You will have to use the sandpaper to grind the surface and then make use of a buffing wheel to add some smoothness to the surface. Finally, you will need wax to polish the lens and restore its original shine. The method really works and makes your sunglasses to look great again, but keep in mind that it may affect the quality of the lenses to a great extent.
Conclusion
The fact of the matter is that there are a number of ways to remove scratches from your sunglasses, but you should also bear in mind that most of those methods work only for minor scratches. Moreover, using some of these methods may actually affect the quality of the lenses. So, be sure to try them if your objective is to remove the scratches and you don’t worry much about altering the refraction, clarity, and maybe prescription of your lenses. These methods usually work by stripping beneficial coatings, such as anti-glare, hydrophobic, and UV protection, so bear all these things in mind before you take the plunge.
