How to Use Armour Etch to Strip Eyeglass Lens Coatings

Strip UV protection from eyeglasses with Armour Etch.

Armour Etch is a brand of fast-acting, specially formulated glass etching compound. It is meant to create permanent etched designs on glass and mirrors. Because the cream strips the glass of its UV coating, it can also be used as an inexpensive solution to strip eyeglasses of their UV protection or other coating. You can purchase a small 3 oz. bottle online for about $6.50, as of 2010.

Things You'll Need

• Armour Etch compound
• Eyeglasses
• Liquid soap or mild cleaning solution
• Soft cloth or sponge
• Eyeglass cleaning wipes
• Cotton swabs

Instructions

Instructions

1. Read all the directions on the Armour Etch packaging before proceeding.

2. Clean your glasses thoroughly. Wash them with a mild cleaning solution or liquid soap and warm water. Use a soft cloth or sponge to scrub any residue that may be on the glasses and rinse off all traces of soap.

3. Dry the glasses with a very soft cloth, preferably cloth or wipes made specifically for eyeglasses.

4. Apply a generous amount of Armour Etch on both sides of the lenses. Use a cotton swab to spread the compound on the entire surface of the glass, making sure you get it into all the corners.

5. Wait five minutes for the compound to dissolve the coating on the eyeglasses.

6. Rinse the eyeglasses thoroughly using lukewarm water. Using a soft cloth, make sure all the compound is removed from the glasses.

7. Let the eyeglasses air dry or use the eyeglass wipes to completely dry the lenses.

Tips & Warnings

• Use disposable gloves when handling the Armour Etch so you do not get any on your skin.

• Do not wipe your eyeglasses with paper towels because the fibers can scratch your lenses.

• The Armour Etch is not intended to be used by children.

References

• Cleaning Tips: How to Remove Scratches from Eyeglasses
• Repairing scratched glasses
• How to Fix Scratched Glasses with Minimal Effort

Resources

• Armour Etch