Can scratches be removed from eyeglasses lens? | FerrariChat
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Can scratches be removed from eyeglasses lens?

Discussion in 'Other Off Topic Forum' started by SRT Mike, Jan 3, 2009.

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  1. SRT Mike

    SRT Mike Two Time F1 World Champ

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    #1 SRT Mike, Jan 3, 2009
    Title says it all.

    I only wear glasses when I take my contacts out at night... they are something like -4.25 which is medium-powerful, so despite always wanting glass lenses, I always end up with the thinner plastic ones.

    And they scratch like a mofo. I know there are coatings and such, but even the smallest scratch bugs the crap out of me.

    Anyway... I have a guy @ my work who can polish a cut piece of acrylic to crystal-clear smoothness. I am tempted to give him my glasses and tell him to get to work :)

    I saw the commercial on TV for that liquid, but after reading about it, it's a scam.

    Of course I could just buy new glasses (believe me, I intend to) but I neglected to get an eyeglass prescription the last time I updated my contacts, so my eyeglass prescription is expired, and I am too lazy to go back for another test just to get more glasses.

    So, can the scratches be removed? By an individual or must you take them somewhere?
     
  2. Buzz48317

    Buzz48317 F1 Rookie

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    #2 Buzz48317, Jan 3, 2009
    Not sure if it will work, but I have used Brasso to remove scratches from my watch crystal (which is not real sapphire but Hessalite which is a plexiglass) Brasso worked great on that. If you are at the point where you are going to throw them out and get another pair anyhow it wouldn't hurt to give it a shot.
     
  3. cscott67

    cscott67 Formula Junior

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    #3 cscott67, Jan 3, 2009
    You cannot polish a plastic or polycarb lens without changing the power.
    all the other crap is a waste of time. Best, Dr. Scott
     
  4. toggie

    toggie F1 World Champ
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    #4 toggie, Jan 3, 2009
  5. PeterS

    PeterS Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 PeterS, Jan 3, 2009
    I'm with you on scratched glasses, as they drive me batty! No matter how careful you are with glasses, they all look like crap after 4-6 months. I buy two pairs at a time and they last 8-10 months at best. As for getting scratches out, I have not found anything. This is probably a product that 3M will (Or should / would) come out with.
     
  6. GatorFL

    GatorFL Moderator
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    #6 GatorFL, Jan 3, 2009
    Not sure it if will work on eyeglasses but it does work on scratched instrument faces--Plexus. I wiped down the gauges in my Acura with a shop towel and ended up with hairline scratches. About 10 minutes of work with this stuff and they were gone. Worth a shot I'd say.

    http://www.plexusplasticcleaner.com/frames.html
     
  7. SRT Mike

    SRT Mike Two Time F1 World Champ

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    #7 SRT Mike, Jan 4, 2009
    Last edited: Jan 4, 2009
    Just to follow up..

    I did it!


    ...and it worked!!!!



    I mounted up a 3" "sisal" buffing wheel in my lathe and loaded it up with TC6 Tripoli compound... buffed for maybe 30-40 seconds per side, per lens at around 3,000RPM. Then I cleaned them off. The scratches were gone, but they were hazy.

    I then mounted up a loose wheel with JR1 Jewlers Rouge and buffed. It took maybe maybe 1-2 minutes per side per lens to get them really nice. One of them has the slightest hint of slight haziness but I went back and buffed again and it came out great.

    I was amazed! They are crystal clear - like when they were brand new. I did take the lenses out of the frame to do it though. Worked like a charm.


    Regarding changing the power, I don't disagree that any change in the shape of the lens will necessarily change the power, but, I probably removed less than 1/4 of 1/1000th of an inch of material. The lenses are around 75-thousandths thick at their thinnest part, so I probably removed less than 0.3% of the material... and it was probably roughly even across the lens, so I doubt I had much effect on the lens power. I can't tell any difference (except I can see MUCH clearer without all the scratches!).

    Anyway, just reporting in - it worked great!
     
  8. tazz99

    tazz99 F1 Rookie
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    #8 tazz99, Jan 6, 2009
    Try Pledge. It will fill in small scratches temporarily and the lemon stuff will make you smell good :)
     

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