How to Remove Scratch Protectant From Eyeglasses
For vision-impaired and somewhat clumsy people everywhere, it’s a very good thing that plastic eyeglass lenses can be manufactured with a scratch-resistant coating. Far from impervious, though, this coating eventually fades, fogs, flakes and otherwise makes vision a challenge. Rather than take your glasses to an optometrist for a costly repair, you can remove the scratch protectant yourself – and then happily fix your sight on the expense you’ve spared your monthly budget. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Lint-free cloths
- Etching compound (Etch All or Armour Etch, found at hobby and craft stores)
- Old towel
- Latex gloves
- Cotton balls
Instructions
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Clean your glasses with warm, sudsy water and a lint-free cloth to remove all dirt and grease. Let them air dry.
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Set the etching compound on a hard surface and on top of an old towel. Put on the latex gloves.
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Wet but don’t soak a cotton ball with the compound. It shouldn’t be dripping wet.
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Cover both sides of the lenses with a medium-thick layer of the compound.
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Set the glasses on the old towel. Let the etching compound sit on the lenses for 15 minutes.
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Remove the compound residue from the lenses with another lint-free cloth.
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Spare yourself a costly visit to the optometrist. Rinse the lenses under warm water for several minutes. Wipe dry with a cloth. You should now be able to see clearly through your lenses.
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Tips & Warnings
Work in a well-ventilated area or outdoors.
Etching compound sold at hobby and craft stores usually contains an active ingredient known as ammonium bifluoride, a diluted version of hydrofluoric acid. Still, it shouldn’t be inhaled, as it can cause irritation to the throat, nose and lungs.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Siri Stafford/Photodisc/Getty Images Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images
