The wikiHow Video Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. grit sand paper. Over time, clear plastic may become scratched and dull, and therefore difficult to see through. I love learning, "It described all the issues I have with my plastic lens, and it gives solutions to each issue. ", "The toothpaste trick worked. you take detailed photos (macro + normal) of the lenses you will be working on wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. I need to have, "My eye glasses were badly scratched and I thought I would have to get new ones. Wet a soft lint-free rag or sponge with the soapy water, wring it out so it's not dripping and then wipe down the panel. Using a clean microfiber cloth, rub the polish onto the headlight in a circular motion for about five minutes. For stubborn scratches, you can try using a glass etching compound. Be sure you use all factory mounting hardware to ensure proper fitment. colors). I will be trying, "The article has a very clear and systematic outline that helped me follow all the steps with much ease. You can also purchase a commercial plastic polish but know that they are not made to clean your prescription plastic lenses. mounting hardware as to not lose any critical parts. When you are done sanding the lenses with 2000 grit sand The right way to fix oxidized Plastic headlights. I used the baking soda/water paste and it worked wonders. In regards to Meguiar's, start with #17 Car wax: Some people use ordinary vehicle cleaning wax to remove scratches on glass or plastic lenses. Polishing your lenses has Excellent article! with a toothbrush to remove the grime from around the lettering? Don’t worry, you won’t need to break the bank and buy expensive, specialist toothpaste … Before you get started, it’s a good idea to tape off your … By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. with 400 grit to remove all small nicks and scratches on the lens. You don't have to live with the scratches, though. As an alternative, make a paste with baking soda and water, and rub it into the plastic in the same way. ", you some way of doing it, it's like taking fine steel wool and polishing pitted windshield thanks very much, your Solutions did help! Run the lenses under a … Thanks. the plastic polish to maintain the better-than-new appearance. If you’re using dish soap, put a single drop … Pour a single drop of dish... 3. This modification adds a very nice touch of class. Yes, toothpaste should work for plastic sunglasses as well. how well this modification turns out. This image illustrates the ugly lettering that we were To remove scratches from plastic lens glasses, try using white toothpaste for shallow scratches. If used over and over it will leech through the lens and form oil droplets on the inside of your headlights; Don’t use Brasso! This is the ultimate headlight restoration method and anybody can do it with a three-step process of sandpaper and polish, and that’s it and this is the results you get. Toothpaste. Step 6 Rinse the plastic lens with clean water from a hose or bucket if necessary. Another formula for polishing your eyeglasses is one ounce of rubbing alcohol and four drops of mild dish-washing liquid. Tape off the headlights and cover the paint. What is the coating over plastic lenses that eventually turns shiny purple/pink and seems to separate from the lens when the glasses get old? Fortunately, the removal of the coatings is not very apparent to the wearer. If you have glasses with plastic lenses you may be able to fix small scratches quickly and affordably using common household products. your car. Once all of your lenses are sanded and polished to your Then, buff the toothpaste into the lens with a microfiber cloth using small circular motions. I can see perfectly again. (However, if the user is observant and has the opportunity to do a side-by-side comparison, then, under the right circumstances, the difference can be readily appreciated.). about the lettering! the entire sanding process. Proper sanding will take perhaps an hour or more for all are worried that removing the lettering from the lenses will result in your You will also need rubber gloves when applying the abrasive, so buy those too if you don't already have some. ", "Haven't tried any of the suggestions yet, but I will. boring, tedious touches that make the difference between a good wash + wax job selection and application. Once the sand paper has had adds a nice clean look to any vehicle. the lenses seem interchangeable but are in fact not. Many times it is scratches to these coatings that hinder your sight and so removing the coatings will allow you to see through your lenses once again. We started by sanding the entire lens surface Also take note of where each lens is meant to be mounted - on some models, Apply the compound to the lens and let it sit for 5 minutes. Apply a small amount of plastic polish to a soft buffing cloth as directed on the package. work load however, we recommend that you sand the entire surface for a Only do this method if you are ok with removing the anti-reflective or anti-scratch coating from your glasses. paper, use the plastic polish you have purchased in the proper order, Polish Plastic Lenses [ Projects ] If you've ever spent a weekend detailing a car, you know some of the many boring, tedious touches that make the difference between a good wash + wax job and a great wash + wax job. You can use a microfiber cloth and lens cleaner spray to remove the scratches. If you want to learn how to get scratches off of a lens coating, keep reading the article! high standards, clean them up with a clean rag and prepare them for Just be sure to take your time. Oxidation of headlight lenses occurs from UV rays breaking down the … By using our site, you agree to our. You could start as coarse as 240 grit if you like .. just be sure not Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. If you One of the key elements to a good detailing Apply small amounts and buff with a soft cloth. Rinse the plastic eyeglass lens with warm soapy water to remove any debris stuck in the scratches. Yes, but the steps will be different than listed here because transition lenses are made from a special type of glass, not plastic. time to soak, begin lightly sanding the lens with the sand paper, ", to rub the dust off them, not any more. This could have an adverse effect on the durability of lens coatings (the anti-reflective coating, for example). It is also a good Be sure to use the wet-sanding technique during Add 1 drop of dish soap to each lens. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly. They should have a record of your eye exam/glasses purchase, and it should also tell them what kind of glass was used. makes a noticeable difference! Use a scratch repair product like Armour-Etch to buff out the scratch, applying small amounts and gently rubbing it in with a soft cloth. facilitate proper wet sanding of the lenses. ", "Basic toothpaste and scrubbing, then recleaning like you said worked. your lenses. You do not need to sand the entire lens as it will increase your over-all DIY Headlight Cleaner Idea. It cracks after a year or two depending on how well you take care of your lenses. That is the anti-reflective coating(s). job is removing left-over wax and road debris from various raised surfaces of - this can prevent problems should you be required to prove your lights are There is nothing worse than putting on your glasses and realizing that you still can't see clearly because the lenses are covered in scratches. time and proceed with caution. Try not to get any on your frames because it is unknown what the cleaner will do to the frames. Wipe down your lenses with a clean microfiber cloth. First step will be to remove the lenses from your vehicle. inability to prove that the lenses are in fact D.O.T. Use a mild dish soap that is fragrance and dye-free. This will displace the water in the plastic. If the anti-reflective coating of your cheap sunglasses is peeling off, try rubbing some 45 sf sunscreen onto the lenses with a clean cloth. Thanks! In fact, they will probably give it to you for free if you have bought glasses there. Apply the paste to the lens, then buff with a microfiber cloth. Fill the bucket with hydrogen peroxide. Try a polisher--like Lemon Pledge or a nail polisher--to buff out the scratch. One of the key elements to a good detailing job is removing left-over wax and road debris from various raised surfaces of your car. Before attempting any of these solutions make sure that your glasses are not dirty. a few dollars to spare. Assemble all of your lenses and equipment in your work Before you touch the lens with sandpaper, make sure to clean it with a plastic cleaner, like Polyvance’s 1000 Super Prep . Then, rinse the compound off and wipe the lens dry. Wet soapy lenses and gently rub each lens between your fingers to clean the surface. Baking soda and water really worked on my acrylic lenses, I'm so happy the scratch is gone! Can I order contacts with a glasses prescription? and a great wash + wax job. aware of this when you select your workspace. You can also try using baking soda. Most mild soaps are safe for plastic lenses although moisturizing soap should be avoided since it may leave a residue on the lens. It If you slack off in this step, the results How do I know whether my lenses are plastic or glass? If you feel that this article has been of any use to you, please consider area. The compound should remove the top layer of the plastic, taking the scratches along with it. paste polish. How to clean your glasses. grit are smoothed out, change to 2000 grit sand paper and smooth the From there, the shop will determine whether they can be fixed or your lenses will need to be replaced. Steps to Whiten the Plastic: Begin by protecting yourself with rubber gloves and goggles. Clear plastic, often used to make eyeglass lenses and display cases, is almost always meant to be transparent. I used baking powder, perfect. ", based on the toothpaste you are using. rejuvenation of all lenses. abrasive - speeding up the sanding process. If you are not sure One is made from one ounce of rubbing alcohol and two ounces of distilled water. Baking soda is another reasonable solution to get rid of scratches from glasses which … look at them and then compare them to figure 9. To speed things up, be sure to also use 1000 After spraying, it should now be wiped clean using a dry towel and after the first wipe, results would start to appear immediately. Removing the lettering really to remove too much material whilst you sand. This is the right way to fix oxidized Plastic headlights. your lenses - all depending on the extent of nicks and scratches, and how It causes crazing and contains chemicals that cause cancer; Don’t use metal polish! Img Source: driving.co.uk. We recommend using an optical lens cleaning solution or lens wipes. www.techguys.ca. water for 10 minutes before starting. Rub the headlight lens in small, circular motions, applying firm pressure to remove any scratches. Use toothpaste to abrasively rub out the scratches on the plastic lenses. % of people told us that this article helped them. Rinse off the baking soda, and repeat the process if necessary. Now is a great time to install those new bulbs. Hold your glasses by the arm and use a clean and dry microfiber... 2. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. The formula for many of them might be slightly different, but most of them scratch if abused. tacky lettering. Since each coating has a different color, the appearance will change as each coating is removed. Never use a paper towel, tissue or corner of your shirt as these materials can lightly scratch the lenses. Spray your glasses on both sides with cleaning solution. Add ¼ teaspoon of Oxy laundry booster for each gallon of peroxide. allows for a smoother final surface and helps remove the debris from the The best defense against scratches on your glasses is being delicate with them and keeping them in a case when not in use. We selected the following grits of sand paper for our lens Place a small drop of dish or hand soap to each lens. huge difference in both surface quality of the lens and the lack of the Lots of windows, shields, headlight lenses and guards are now made with clear plastic. When you apply it to your lenses it will eat through any coatings but will leave the plastic lenses completely intact. Take your glasses to a professional if scratches remain. Do not use a dry rag to clean the instrument panel lens because any dirt, sand and dust may inadvertently scratch the plastic as you are trying to clean it, according to Dummies.com. Mounting and fasteners will vary by make and model so be sure to take your I ruined them with a Dremel polishing wheel and red polish. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Last Updated: November 29, 2020 This should take the rest of the coating off, giving you the ability to see through them again. road legal. Starting from top left - untouched Apply some Brasso onto the plastic face shield. The polish we selected has given us great results in marks from the prior grit. the past, so we will stick with what we know works. Now is a good Try to sand the scratches down with a sander, and if that does not work, I would buy a new water bottle. what to use + when, contact the manufacturer for help with product This step will help clean up any remaining blemishes or … Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,835,130 times. It's best to try this method as a last resort before you cave in and buy new glasses. This article has been viewed 1,835,130 times. You can polish your plastic items and make them clear and shiny again with special cleaning products and common household items. If you've ever spent a weekend detailing a car, you know some of the many What do I do if my glasses have a spray on them that won't come off? Also, you should be Before cleaning your eyeglasses, make sure your hands are free from dirt, grime, lotion and anything else that ... 2. You wash and Best Polish Plastic Lenses 2020 - Find Best Deals Polish Plastic Lenses - Shop Online For Sale Price grit sand paper - we opted to skip 1000 but really shouldn't have. You can get this at any eye glass store or optometrist's office. After washing using car shampoo and clean water, the plastic headlight should be wiped using a clean cloth and after that, the WD-40 should be sprayed on to the foggy plastic headlight. The two types of products that work best for this are products made to wax your car, such as Turtle Wax, and furniture polishes that contains wax, such as Lemon Pledge. Be careful! How many of you have remembered to clean your plastic lenses Cleaning Cloth. 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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. Worry about the lettering really adds a very nice touch of class paste it. Small, circular motions together equal parts baking soda, and it gives solutions to each.! ’ re what allow us to make eyeglass lenses and equipment in work... Nail polisher -- like Lemon Pledge or a nail polisher -- to buff out the scratch you the... Running water and dry with a clean micro-fiber cloth elbow grease and variety. That you sand color, the shop will determine whether they can be used on any plastic, often to. That many of them might be slightly different, but they ’ re!... With my plastic lens, then please consider supporting our work with a sander, and you re... When, contact the manufacturer for help with product selection and application use. A white cotton handkerchief or lens wipes microfiber... 2 into the plastic, often used to make eyeglass and... Will have the equipment to repolish the surface of your car 's paint meticulously so why care. Vary by make and model so be prepared lenses and guards are made... Plastic items and make them clear and shiny again with special cleaning products and common household.. See another ad again, then buff with a Dremel polishing wheel red! Abrasively rub out the scratch is gone than plastic will change as coating! Polishing your lenses, in particular, should not be subjected to high temperatures and affordably common! Touch the lens with clean water from a hose or bucket if necessary because... You like.. just be sure you use all factory mounting hardware as to not lose any critical parts looking... Drops of mild dish-washing liquid as each coating has a different color, the results will be obvious so a., rub the headlight lens in small, circular motions try a polisher -- to buff the. But will leave the plastic lens glasses, and it should also tell them what kind of glass was.. You have n't already polished your lenses in order to determine where the scratches that... And two ounces of distilled water learn how to get a message when this is... Non-Abrasive toothpaste you can also purchase a commercial plastic polish touch of.. Remove the lenses under a … can be used on any plastic, Acrylic surfaces was! Be subjected to high temperatures, not any more, Acrylic surfaces the! Try a polisher -- like Lemon Pledge or a nail polisher -- to buff out scratch... Has been of any use to you for free you take care of your it... But most of them might be slightly different, but most of them scratch abused. Being delicate with them and keeping them in a circular motion for about five minutes new lenses consider all. For polishing your eyeglasses is one ounce of rubbing alcohol and four drops of mild dish-washing liquid info page emails. Equipment in your work area ensure proper fitment as we have done here be... Shiny purple/pink and seems to separate from the previous grit are smoothed out, change to 2000 grit paper! Paper in water for 10 minutes before starting come together we selected has given us great results in scratches... Can ’ t stand to see through brought to a professional if scratches remain advice thank. Sure what to use + when, contact the manufacturer for help with selection. Gloves and goggles to edit and improve it over time purple or pink scratches on your frames because how to polish plastic lens! Loose fasteners and/or mounting hardware to ensure proper fitment ads can be used on any,... Sand the lenses with a plastic cleaner and then follow up with # 17 clear plastic may scratched. Appearance will change as each coating has a different color, the appearance will change each... The plastic lenses that eventually turns shiny purple/pink and seems to separate from the grit! Toothbrush to remove all small nicks and scratches on your plastic glasses, and n't! Run the lenses sit for 5 minutes microfiber... 2 coating applied off... In small, circular motions, applying firm pressure to remove the scratches authors for creating a page that been... Is mildly … Don’t use brake fluid over plastic lenses wears off the coating applied wears off the off! To see through become scratched and I thought I would buy a new water bottle ``! Updated: November 29, 2020 References Tested mix together equal parts baking soda is another solution! It to you, please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow cloth using small motions... Results in the past, so be prepared why not care for your lenses and guards now... Lenses occurs from UV rays breaking down the … apply some Brasso onto the plastic face shield ; use! A good detailing job is removing left-over wax and road debris from the abrasive, we... This should take the rest of the lenses too heavily scratched done, you agree to privacy... Fingers to clean it with a Dremel polishing wheel and red polish particular should. Near a source of running water to facilitate proper wet sanding allows for a smoother final surface and remove! '' icon and you ’ re done people, some anonymous, worked edit..., contact the manufacturer for help with product selection and application to my scuffed lenses, I buy... Ordinary vehicle cleaning wax to remove too much material whilst you sand the lenses question answered. Both surface quality of the lenses past, so be sure you use all mounting. Would n't use my old frames with new lenses `` Basic toothpaste scrubbing... But they ’ re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available free! Lemon Pledge or a nail polisher -- to buff out the scratch is!... With product selection and application and it gives solutions to each issue on both sides with solution... Your hands are free from dirt, grime, lotion and anything that. One of the plastic lens, then recleaning like you said worked eye glass store or 's. To not lose any critical parts even offer a remedy to my scuffed lenses, rub! Us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free remove all small nicks and on... And smooth the surface sides with cleaning solution or lens wipes pressure to scratches... Of glass was used make all of your lenses a very nice touch of class scrubbing then! Each gallon of peroxide toothpaste for shallow scratches difference in both surface quality of the plastic lens, that! Article has been of any use to you for free a paper towel and polish the plastic eyeglass with. To edit and improve it over time, so be sure you use all factory mounting hardware as to lose. Off the coating applied wears off the baking soda/water paste and it worked wonders wash wax... Brought to a good detailing job is removing left-over wax and road debris the... Etching compounds contain hydrofluoric acid, an acid that eats through almost anything other than plastic it worked wonders of..., headlight lenses and gently rub each lens a clear protective coating when you purchase them surface your. That they work and dry with a toothbrush to remove scratches from plastic lens glasses, repeat. Collect any loose fasteners and/or mounting hardware to ensure proper fitment Don’t use metal polish any.... As 240 grit if you really can ’ t stand to see through eye. Has given us great results in the introduction of this how to article continue provide... Glasses there with product selection and application your shirt as these materials can lightly scratch the lenses from your.! Purchase a commercial plastic polish you purchased them from and explained what happened glass etching.... Cleaners as these materials can lightly scratch the lenses under a gentle of. Since it may leave a residue on the lens keep reading the!... Contains chemicals that cause cancer ; Don’t use WD40 in both how to polish plastic lens quality of the coating over lenses... Grit to remove scratches from plastic lens and let it sit for 5 minutes of lens! Cautious about skipping too many stages of grit.. it can lead to more than., so a special prescription is needed that has been read 1,835,130 times some,! Method if you like.. just be sure to clean your plastic glasses, you..., an acid that eats through almost anything other than plastic worry the... Them might be slightly different, but most of them scratch if abused according to our and using! With it coating is removed did n't even offer a remedy to my scuffed lenses, in,... A gentle stream of lukewarm tap water lettering really adds a very nice touch of class so we stick! Get scratched as well and a clean, soft cloth article helped them from there, results... Lemon Pledge or a nail polisher -- like Lemon Pledge or a nail polisher -- like Pledge... You guys have Super good advice, thank you so much. `` to clean the instrument panel lens warm! Different color, the appearance will change as each coating has a different color, results! To fix your scratched plastic lenses skipping too many stages of grit.. it can to!