How to Fix Scratches and Repair your Glasses

Want help with Broken or scratched glasses? Good news! There are some DIY ways to save your day and money.

When you are using the eyeglasses for a while, you often encounter the dreadful situation- whether you sit on them, they are trodden on, snapped by a kid, or fallen on a hard surface. Though we place eyeglasses with a lot of care, accidents can happen anytime and are beyond our control. If you are also among those people, who had enough visiting eye care stores for frequent repairing or replacement. Don’t panic, we are here with the tips and tricks you should know to fix broken glasses – ranging between minor or major damage.

The following guide teaches you the best tips on how to fix scratched glasses, metal or plastic glasses frames, and many more.

How to fix scratched glasses lenses:

Don’t let scratches blur your vision, use simple hacks for your eyeglasses.

Glasses are more likely to get scratches when used for a while. We all know how annoying it gets to use the scratched lenses that clouds your vision and affects your eyes.

If these scratches are minor, you do not need to rush out for a new pair of glasses. You can remove the scratches easily without heading to the optical store. There are products available to fix scratches, yet most of them are easily found in your house.

NOTE: Before you try the below-mentioned technique, clean your glasses properly.

Read this guide on how to clean your glasses.

Smart ways to remove scratches from eyeglasses:

• Gently clean glasses with a microfiber cloth or a high-quality cotton cloth.
• Use warm water and a glasses cleaner to rinse dirt and dust.
• Clean both sides of the lenses using the same trick.
• Once you are done with cleaning, it’s high time to switch to the scratch removers. We have listed here three products that can help:

Toothpaste:

1. Apply an ample amount of non-abrasive or non-gel toothpaste on the scratched area of the glasses.
2. Gently rub the toothpaste in small circular motions using a soft cotton ball for 30 seconds.
3. Rinse the paste with cold water and dry them with a clean cloth.
4. Repeat the process till the scratches go off completely.

Baking soda:

1. Clean your glasses well with lens cleaner and a soft cloth.
2. Mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of baking soda in water to form a thick paste.
3. Apply the paste over the scratched area of the glass using soft cotton.
4. Use minimal pressure and gently rub the paste in a small circular motion.
5. Rinse the glasses well under running water to get rid of residues.
6. Clean them again using a cleaner and soft microfibre cloth.

Scratch removal product

There are various products available in the market that can be used to fix scratches on glasses. No matter how inexpensive these products are, never use them without expert guidance. Here is how to use them.

1. Apply the thick coat of the cream on the glasses.
2. Leave it for 5 minutes before rinsing well with cold water.
3. One can also use an etching agent or waxes to fill these scratches.
4. Rub the polish or wax on the glass surface for some minutes.
5. Wipe the lenses and frame with a clean soft cloth. Do not wash with water.
6. Repeat the process weekly to experience clear vision.

Vehicle cleaning wax:

1. Apply ½ teaspoon of car wax on the damaged area of lenses.
2. Rub the wax with a microfibre cloth.
3. Softly rub the wax in a circular motion till scratches disappear completely.
4. Now rinse the glasses using room temperature water.
5. The car wax mend scratches on the glasses easily.

Glass etching cream:

The technique is a handy repairing option for scratched glasses. But note that it only applies to fix plastic and polycarbonate glasses and should not be used for glasses.

1. Use a microfiber cloth and dab a small amount of glass etching cream on scratches of the lenses
2. Let cream settle down on the surface for 5 minutes.
3. Rinse well with water and dry them with a clean cloth.
4. Hold glasses in light to see the results.

Brass silver metal polish:

1. Gently dab a small amount of polished wax on the scratched surface of the plastic glass frames.
2. Use cotton wool or microfiber cloth and rub the polish in a circular motion.
3. Repeat the step until the scratch vanishes.
4. Note this technique can wear off lens coating and is not recommended for removing scratches on prescription or specially coated lenses.

How to fix/replace eyeglasses hinges?

Integrated right on the frame, fixing broken hinges is a tough task. If your glasses break from the hinge, then you are left with the limited options of either replacing the entire pair or fixing them. If you don’t want to count on buying new glasses, try these methods that can help.

Replacing the lost screw:

If you are willing to trust your skill, you can easily fix the broken hinge using a repair kit or other household items.

Using a repair kit to fix arms:

One can easily find the emergency repair kit for eyeglasses at a local drug store. A standard kit contains a screw (the newer kit will have a bigger screw), a screwdriver and a magnifying glass- everything that lets the job done conveniently.

Toothpick:

As a temporary method, try using a toothpick to replace the lost screw. Line up the holes of both parts you want to join and insert the toothpick. Trim the excess length of the toothpick.

How to Replace nose pad:

The regular use of eyeglasses tends to loosen or wear off the nose pads. Whether you have push-in type or screw-in type nose pads, replacing them is always easy. Steps to follow.

• Wash your hands properly.
• Hold the glasses carefully and remove the screw from the pads.
• Remove the old pad and replace it with the new nose pad.
• Gently hold the pad in place and put the screw in the hole using a magnet.
• Remove the magnet and tighten the screw.
• Alternatively, for the push-in type nose pads, you will not need any extra hardware help.
• Just pull away from the old pad and push in the new pair of pads. They are really easy to install.

How to Repair/fix the metal glasses:

Fixing the bent frames:

Whether you stepped on your glasses or your kids have snapped them away, it doesn’t take much to bend your metal frames. However, following the care instructions you can easily fix them yourself.

• Equip yourself with a plastic-tipped plier.
• Place a cloth on the glass frame area you are fixing. The cloth will act as a buffer between frame and plier.
• Squeeze the plier firmly over the frame and avoid using it too forcefully.
• Twist the plier to fix the bent part.

Couldn’t fix the bent frame? Shop for new frames online.

How to Repair/fix plastic eyeglasses:

How to Fix the bend in plastic frames:

Plastic frames are more vulnerable to breaking than metals. Made from hard inelastic materials, they require a different approach to fix bends. Steps to be followed:

• Expose the frames to heat to reshape.
• You can use a stream of hot water or a hot dryer for the process.
• Once they are softened by heat, apply a little pressure to set them in the right shape.
• Allow them to cool before wearing.

How to Fix broken plastic frames:

Accidents with your glasses can happen at any time. Plastic frames generally break from temples, hinges, or arms. however, they are easily repaired using the following tips.

Using glue and paper:

• Start by cleaning the parts you need to glue together. Rinsing them with water can also help in getting rid of dust and dirt.
• Apply the glue on both sides of the glasses, you want to stick.
• Use the cloth to wipe out the excess glue.
• Keep them clamped steadily for a few more seconds.
• Place the glasses on a flat surface and let the glue set for a few minutes.

Using sewing kit:

• Gather all supplies. Sandpaper, needle, thread, super glue, etc in one place.
• Clean the broken part with water and sandpaper.
• Place the two broken pieces together using rubber bands and sticks. This will fix these parts together when you sew them.
• Use glue to stick the frame together, wipe out the excess glue that falls around the area.
• Once the glue dries, it’s time to sew the broken parts.
• Drill a small hole on each part of the broken frame.
• Use a needle to sew them together and securely tighten the threads in place.
• Trim the remaining thread before applying another tough of glue.
• Let the glue dry for a few minutes.

How to tighten eyeglasses?

Whether your glasses are too tight to cause headache or too loose to slide off the nose, there are many ways to tighten the glasses and make them fit right for your face. Fortunately, the method of tightening a loose frame is too easy and costs nothing.

How to adjust the nose pad:

Case 1: When the frame sits too high on the face:

1. Grab the frame with one hand
2. Gently pinch one of the nose pads to bring it out
3. Repeat the steps for the other nose pad and push it enough to have the proper fit
4. Try them to make sure that they sit above the skin of the nose

Case 2: When the frame sits too low on the face:

1. Grab the frame with one hand
2. Gently pinch one of the nose pads to bring it closer
3. Repeat the steps for the other nose pad and push it enough to have the proper fit
4. Try them to make sure that they feel comfortable on your face

How to adjust temples of eyeglasses:

1. Run the frame temple into warm water for 20 to 30 sec to make eyeglasses material easy to bend.
2. Tighten the temple by applying the pressure downwards or upwards depending on the need.
3. Repeat the process for the opposite side, until you got the right fit you needed.

How to adjust temple arms for tightening eyeglasses?

1. Hold the glasses firmly with one hand.
2. Run the frame arms underwater to make it malleable.
3. Bend the temple arms into a deeper curve or relaxed curve depending on the issue, loose or tight fit respectively.
4. Keep Trying to find the right fit.

How to prevent your glasses from damage?

We wear glasses throughout the day, but we always avoid keeping them safe against damage. But there are a lot of things you can do to preserve the integrity of your glasses just the same as the day you bought them.

Use secure glasses cases:

If you want to remove glasses for a while- when you are taking the rest or travelling, always keep them in hard glasses cases. Also place the case on a secure spot such as a nightstand, work desk, or handbag.

Clean them regularly:

When you wear your glasses all day, they might accumulate dust and dirt on them. wiping them directly can cause scratches. To do the cleaning the right way rinse the dirt and dust using warm water, and use a good quality microfiber and cleaning solution to wipe them.

Be mindful of keeping them:

Glasses get dropped from the desk, sat on, and slept on when placed carelessly around you. The golden rule is to place them in a case whenever you take them off.

Wrap up:

Broken glasses can give you dreadful pain, but they should not cost you a new pair every time. Before rushing to the optical store, it’s always better to try out the ways to fix them. These tips will certainly help you quickly fix the broken glasses.

Unfortunately, if the glasses are smashed beyond repair, then looking for a new pair of eyeglasses is always a good option.

FAQs

Q1. Can I actually fix scratched lenses at home or is that just an internet myth?

For light surface scratches it genuinely works and is worth trying before spending anything. Non gel toothpaste rubbed gently in small circular motions with a soft cloth can make a real difference. Baking soda mixed into a paste and car wax are two other options that people use with decent results. Deep scratches are a different story but minor ones are very much fixable at home.

Q2. What everyday items actually do the job when it comes to scratch removal?

Toothpaste is the go to for most people and it works better than you might expect on light scratches when used carefully. Baking soda paste is another solid option and car wax does surprisingly well on plastic lenses. None of these are miracle fixes but for surface level damage they are well worth trying before you consider replacing the lenses.

Q3. I lost the tiny screw from my glasses hinge, is that an easy fix?

Honestly yes and it is one of those problems that looks more serious than it actually is. A basic eyeglass repair kit from any pharmacy comes with screws, a miniature screwdriver, and usually a magnifying glass. The whole repair takes a few minutes once you have the kit in hand. If you need something to hold things together right now a trimmed toothpick pushed through the hinge holes buys you time until you can get the proper fix done.

Q4. How do I straighten bent metal frames without snapping them?

The key is to go slowly and use a plastic tipped plier with a soft cloth placed between the plier and the frame so you do not scratch or mark the finish. Apply steady controlled pressure rather than forcing anything and make small adjustments at a time. Metal frames are generally more forgiving than plastic when it comes to reshaping so take your time and you should be fine.

Q5. What’s the actual way to fix plastic frames when they get all bent?

Plastic works really well with a bit of heat, so honestly just running them under warm water or using a hair dryer for a second makes them soft enough to move without snapping. Once they feel kinda bendy you know just use light pressure to get them back to normal and let them cool off all the way before wearing them again so they actually stay.

Q6. How do I replace my nose pads without taking my glasses anywhere?

It is genuinely one of the easier repairs you can do yourself. Screw in pads just need the tiny screw removed, the old pad swapped out, and the screw replaced. Push in pads are even simpler, you pull the old one off and click the new one into place. The whole thing takes under two minutes and you do not need anything beyond a small screwdriver for the screw in type.

Q7. Are there scratches that a home fix simply will not touch?

Yes and it is better to be honest about that upfront. Deep scratches, damage to anti reflective or prescription coatings, and anything that is visibly affecting your clarity of vision are all beyond what toothpaste and baking soda can realistically address. At that point getting a professional repair or a new lens is the smarter call rather than spending more time on home remedies that are not going to cut it.

Q8. What is the one habit that would prevent most glasses damage from happening?

Putting them in a hard case every single time you take them off. It sounds almost too simple but the vast majority of scratches, bent frames, and snapped hinges happen when glasses are left sitting on a surface and then sat on, knocked to the floor, or slept on by accident. Two seconds to put them away properly and you avoid the kind of damage that sends most people back to the optician far sooner than they need to be.

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