How to Remove Scratches from Plastic Lenses

There's nothing more frustrating than putting on your glasses only to find that you still can't see clearly because the lenses are full of scratches. If your lenses are made of plastic, you can easily fix small scratches without spending much, using everyday household items. Try out one of these methods to repair scratched plastic lenses yourself.

Clean the lens surface to precisely locate the scratches. Be sure to use a dedicated lens cleaner and a clean microfiber cloth. Lens cleaner can be found at optical shops or eye clinics, and sometimes you might even receive some for free if you purchased your glasses from them.

Apply a scratch-removal product to the lens. There are several products that can effectively eliminate scratches from lenses. Start by applying a small amount of non-abrasive toothpaste to the lens. Use a cotton ball to rub the toothpaste onto the scratch in small circular motions, then rinse with cold water. If the scratch is deep, you might need to repeat the process several times.

• If non-abrasive toothpaste is unavailable, you can create a paste from baking soda and water. Mix the baking soda with small amounts of water until it forms a paste. Rub this paste onto the lens in the same way as the toothpaste, then rinse it off when the scratch is gone.

Clean off the scratch-removal product. If you can't wipe it off with a cloth or cotton ball, rinse the lens with cold water and use a lint-free cloth to dry it.

Try another cleaning product if toothpaste and baking soda don't work. You can try polishing the scratched plastic lens with silver or brass polish using a soft cloth. Apply the polish to the lens, then wipe it off with a clean, soft cloth. Repeat until the scratch disappears.

• Be cautious with the frame when using cleaners not intended for lenses. Avoid getting it on the frame, as you won’t know how it may affect it.

Apply a scratch-filling product if the scratch remains visible. If the scratch is still visible on the plastic lens, you can apply a temporary product to fill the scratch with wax. Simply use a clean microfiber cloth to apply the product to the lens in small circular motions, then use a clean section of the cloth to wipe it off. This method can improve clarity when wearing the glasses, but it must be repeated weekly.

• Two of the most effective products for this are car polish products like Turtle Wax and wood polish products containing wax, such as Lemon Pledge.

Put on your glasses! You will notice a significant improvement in your vision through the repaired lenses.

Ensure your lenses are plastic, not glass. This method can ONLY be used for plastic lenses because it will permanently damage glass lenses. It is also a last resort for dealing with scratched plastic lenses, as it will remove the coating. This means that once the coating is gone, the lenses won't be protected and may even scratch more in the future.

• Only use this method if you don't mind removing any anti-glare or scratch-resistant coating from the lenses. Sometimes, scratches on the coating itself hinder your ability to see, so removing the coating can solve that issue. It's best to consider this as a final solution before giving in and purchasing new glasses.

Clean the plastic lens surface as you normally would. Use a microfiber cloth and a dedicated lens cleaner to wipe the lens. Once cleaned, you will be able to see the extent of the scratches more clearly.

Purchase a glass-etching chemical commonly used in art. You can find this chemical at craft stores.

• Glass-etching compounds contain hydrofluoric acid, a corrosive acid that eats away at almost any material except plastic. When applied to plastic lenses, it will remove any coating but will not damage the lens itself.
• You will need to wear gloves when handling corrosive chemicals, so make sure to buy gloves if you don’t already have them at home.

Wear gloves before applying the chemical to the plastic lens and remove the lens from the frame. You will need a small plastic container to place the lens in after applying the etching chemical. Be sure not to use this container for food afterward.

Wipe off the chemical with a soft cloth or cotton ball. Rinse the lens with cold water. Discard all items that came into contact with the chemical in the trash (of course, excluding the lens).

Reattach the lens to the frame and put on your glasses. Once the anti-glare or scratch-resistant coating is removed, you will have much clearer vision.