Most sunglasses get their share of scratches. That is a fact and is bad news to their owners. However, nature being fair, always balance things out. I have a list of quick fixes to effectively remove scratches on sunglasses. These remedies works not only for sunglasses but to eyeglasses as well.
Sounds a piece of good news? Of course it is, my sunglasses all have gotten their share of annoying scratches which marred my vision. The following remedies effectively removed the scratches and restored the original clear finish of the lenses:
Liquid Cleaning Solution
Wash the lenses with water or a window washer spray. Afterwards, use a microfiber clothe to wipe off moisture. Always remember to do a side-to-side wiping motion to prevent leaving traces of swirling smudges on the lenses.
Brass/Silver Polish
Dab a liberal amount of silver or brass polish on the scratched surface of the lens using a cotton ball. Remove excess polish with a soft cloth. Repeat the process if scratches are still visible.
Baking Soda Paste
Take a liberal amount of baking soda and add just enough water to make a paste. Lightly rub paste into the surface of the lens using side-to-side motion. Rinse with water and wipe off moisture using microfiber cloth.
Toothpaste
Rub the toothpaste over the damaged lens using side-to-side motion. Toothpastes contain fine abrasives that may penetrate deep into the interior lens and cause further damage. Gently rub toothpaste into the lens and avoid rubbing it on a single area for too long. Rinse with water and use microfiber cloth to wipe off moisture.
Glass Etching
This quick fix applies only to sunglasses made of plastic or polycarbonate. The chemicals contained in the etching substance could ruin lenses made of glass. Use a cotton swab to evenly apply the etching substance into the entire surface of the lens. Never attempt to rub it in. Immediately wash the lens with running water. Use microfiber cloth to remove moisture and etching substance residue.
Wax Fillers
If the above mentioned fixes didn’t work, using wax fillers just might do the trick. Buff wax into the lens using microfiber cloth using circular motion this time. Wax filler sticks to cloth easily, an extra wiping cloth may come handy. Rinse off lenses using lukewarm water. Use microfiber cloth to remove moisture and wax filler residue. Repeat the process if scratches are still visible.
Types of Lenses
Sunglasses and eyeglasses are installed with two types of lenses – the coated and the uncoated. The coating gives the lenses that smooth and clear finish. They older models of sunglasses and eyeglasses have uncoated lenses while the newer models feature coated ones. This is true for both glass and polycarbonate lenses.
The quick scratch-removal fixes mentioned above work well with the coated lenses of the latest models of sunglasses. If you happen to own an older model of sunglasses, I encourage you to still try the remedies. These quick fixes just might do wonders for your glasses.
