How to Remove Scratches from Prescription Glasses with Coating? [6 Easy Ways to Fix]

How to remove scratches from prescription glasses with coating can seem so frustrating! But don’t panic – even with modern coatings, scratches still happen from daily wear and tear.

The good news is there are easy ways to buff out minor scratches at home without ruining your lenses. With some gentle rubbing using toothpaste or baking soda and a microfiber cloth, you can restore your glasses’ clarity in no time.

How To Remove Scratches From Prescription Glasses With Coating?

Quick Answer: Use a mild abrasive like toothpaste or baking soda on a soft cloth, gently rub the scratch in a circular motion, then rinse the lenses thoroughly to Remove Scratches from Prescription Glasses with Coating.

Have you noticed small scratches appearing on your prescription glasses, marring your vision? Those scratches can be frustrating, but don’t worry – there are ways to remove them and restore your lenses’ clarity. With the right techniques and supplies, you can banish pesky scratches from your coated prescription lenses.

Understanding Prescription Lens Coatings

Modern prescription lenses often come with special coatings to protect them and enhance vision. Common coatings include:

• Anti-reflective coating – Reduces glare and reflections.
• Scratch-resistant coating – Protects against scratches and abrasions.
• UV protection coating – Blocks ultraviolet light from causing damage.
• Anti-fog coating – Prevents condensation from obscuring vision.
• Photochromic coating – Darkens lenses when exposed to sunlight.

While these coatings help, they don’t make lenses invincible. Scratches still happen from everyday wear and tear. Fortunately, there are ways to safely remove minor scratches without ruining the coatings.

Home Scratch Removal Techniques and Supplies

With the right techniques and supplies, you can remove pesky scratches from your coated prescription lenses at home. Here are some effective options:

1.    Microfiber Cloth

Use a clean, soft microfiber cloth designed specifically for lenses. Gently rub the scratch in a circular motion. The smooth fabric can buff out minor scratches. Avoid applying too much pressure, which could worsen scratching.

2.    Mild Soap and Water

Mix a couple drops of mild dishwashing soap in water. Dip a microfiber cloth in the solution. Gently rub the scratch using minimal pressure. Rinse the lenses thoroughly with water afterwards. Avoid harsh soaps which could damage coatings.

3.    Baking Soda and Water

Make a paste with baking soda and water. Rub it over scratches using a microfiber cloth. Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can gently smooth scratches. Rinse lenses thoroughly afterwards. Don’t rub too hard to prevent damaging coatings.

4.    Toothpaste

Use a small dab of regular toothpaste on a soft cloth. Gently rub it on the scratch in a circular motion. Toothpaste is a mild abrasive. Rinse lenses well afterwards. Don’t use whitening toothpastes which may be too harsh.

5.    Polycarbonate Scratch Remover

Specialized polycarbonate scratch removers are available for plastic prescription lenses. They contain mild abrasives to smooth over scratches. Follow product directions carefully. Avoid using on glass lenses.

6.    Lens Repair Kit

For deeper scratches, try an eyeglass scratch repair kit. They contain abrasive putties or polishes to buff out scratches. Use the finest grit first and work your way to coarser grits if needed. Take care not to rub too hard and damage coatings.

Also Read: Why Do Polarized Sunglasses Make Rainbows Appear?

Remove minor scratches from your coated prescription lenses: Step-by-Step Process

Follow these steps to safely remove minor scratches from your coated prescription lenses:

Step 1.  Rinse lenses under lukewarm water to remove dust and debris.

Step 2. Inspect lenses closely to locate scratches. Mark them lightly with an erasable marker so you know where to focus efforts.

Step 3. Choose a scratch removal method, like a microfiber cloth, toothpaste, or polycarbonate remover. Avoid harsh chemicals that could damage coatings.

Step 4. Apply your chosen abrasive to the lenses and scrub gently over scratches in a circular motion. Start with light pressure then gradually increase if needed.

Step 5. Frequently rinse away the abrasive and inspect if scratches are fading. Repeat scrubbing if needed.

Step 6. Once scratches appear reduced, thoroughly rinse lenses with lukewarm water and air dry or pat dry with a microfiber cloth.

Step 7. Check lenses for clarity. Repeat process if any residual scratches remain. Stop if coatings show signs of damage.

Step 8. Once satisfied with results, clean lenses normally and wear them to see if vision clarity has improved.

With some light scrubbing using the right supplies, you can restore your vision without a trip to the optometrist. Just remember to be gentle on coatings.

When to Seek Professional Help:

While home techniques can fix minor scratches, there are times when it’s best to seek professional help:

1. Scratches are too deep and not improving with home methods.
2. You rubbed too hard and damaged the lens coatings.
3. Special polarized or photochromic coatings have been compromised.
4. Larger scratches, pits, or cracks are present.
5. You don’t feel comfortable attempting to repair your expensive prescription lenses.

In these cases, take your glasses to your optometrist or a lens repair shop. They have specialized tools to safely resurface lenses and restore damaged coatings. This will cost more than DIY methods but is sometimes necessary for badly scratched lenses or coatings.

Maintaining Your Scratch-Free Glasses

Once you’ve smoothed those annoying scratches, keep your lenses looking great with these maintenance tips:

• Use a lens-safe microfiber cloth for regular cleaning and keep separate from other cloths.
• Store glasses in a hard case when not wearing them.
• Avoid setting glasses lens-side down on hard surfaces.
• Rinse lenses daily with warm water to wash away lint and dust.
• Don’t use paper products like napkins or tissues to clean lenses.
• Take glasses off when cleaning with chemicals like windex or bleach.
• Consider having optometrist apply a scratch-resistant coating.
• Have lenses professionally cleaned every 6-12 months to remove built-up dirt and oils.

With proper care, you can prevent future scratches and enjoy clearer vision from your glasses.

FAQs About Removing Prescription Glasses Scratches

Still have questions about removing annoying scratches from your prescription lenses?

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

Can I remove scratches from glasses without coatings?

Yes, the same methods work well for uncoated plastic and glass lenses. Start with light abrasives like microfiber cloths and toothpaste. Avoid using too much force.

 

How do I polish out deeper scratches?

Use a lens repair kit with an abrasive polish, starting with fine grit and gradually moving up to coarser grits if needed. Take care not to over-polish and damage the lens. Seek professional help for very deep scratches.

 

What are some good home remedies for scratch removal?

Some mild household abrasives like baking soda, toothpaste, and petroleum jelly can work well. Gently rub in a circular motion with soft fabric. Avoid harsh chemicals.

 

How long does the scratch removal process take?

It depends on the severity of scratches. Light surface scratches may only take a few minutes to buff out. Deeper marks could require multiple 5-10 minute sessions working your way through finer to coarser abrasives.

 

Can this damage my vision if not done properly?

It’s unlikely, but rubbing too vigorously or using harsh chemicals risks damaging coatings and lenses. This could potentially distort vision temporarily. Have an optometrist inspect lenses if concerned.

 

Conclusion:

How to remove scratches from prescription glasses with coating can be a pesky problem. But with the right gentle techniques, you can erase those annoying marks yourself at home.

All it takes are some simple supplies and techniques used carefully. Just remember to avoid harsh chemicals or too much force. Reach out to a professional when needed for deeper fixes.

Just remember to go easy on any coatings and get professional help for deeper scratches. Give these simple methods a try, and you’ll be seeing clearly again in no time!

With these tips discussed above, now you can keep your glasses looking scratch-free longer and enjoy the clearest vision.