How to fix scratched sunglasses.

At some point in your life, you were really excited about owning a pair or two of sunglasses. And then, your favorite pair gets a scratch or two. Disappointing, devastating and heart breaking it is. The good thing is, there are ways and hacks you can use to fix or minimize the scratch on your sunglasses. Sunglasses are either made out of glass lens or plastic lens. They may also be polarized or non-polarized. For each of these, here is a guide to help you minimize the visibility of the scratches by use of these listed methods.

Use white non-abrasive toothpaste.

1. The non-abrasive toothpaste should not contain any gel, mint or teeth whitening properties. Regular toothpaste is recommended since toothpaste with any special properties will cause more damages to the lens.
2. Use a small amount of the toothpaste on a cotton ball. A small amount is ideal because it does not cause smudging. Cotton pads are ideal since they leave little residue or fibers on the lenses.
3. Gently rub the cotton pad with toothpaste on the scratched lens. In slow circular motions, rub the scratches for about ten seconds. This is to help buff the scratch from the lenses.
4. Now rinse the toothpaste from the lens. Using warm water, remove the toothpaste from the lenses. Rotate the lenses while under water to ensure that all the toothpaste is removed. Attention should be given to the small crevices where the frame meets the lenses.
5. Use a clean, soft and lint free cloth to rub off the toothpaste. The cloth should be dirt free and soft so as not to add more scratches to the lens. In addition to this, rub the cloth in a circular motion to remove all the paste and any remaining moisture. Apply the appropriate force as too much force can make the lens pop out.
6. After rubbing, inspect the lens under light to confirm that the scratch has been erased. You can also inspect the visibility of the scratch by trying them back on.

If still visible, clean the scratch on the lens until the scratch is completely removed.

By use of baking soda and water.

1. Collect a small amount of water and baking soda. Baking soda has alkaline properties which make it ideal for getting rid of any acidic residue and restoring the lens to its normality. Combine water and baking soda to form a thickened paste which will remove the scratch from the lens.
2. Use one teaspoonful of water and two of baking soda to form a paste. For a heavier scratch, one may be required to add more water and baking soda to form more paste.
3. When making the paste, stir carefully so that the paste is well formed. Not too thick with molds and not too thin or watery.
4. Use a cotton ball and dip it into the paste. Use a small size of paste for every scratch. Gently rub the paste mixture into the scratch in a circular motion.
5. After rubbing, rinse the paste away using cool water. Rinse carefully so as to remove any paste that may seep into small crevices or any other areas on the sunglasses.
6. Use a clean soft cloth to dry the lens. The cloth should be lint free so as to ensure that no further scratches are done to the lens. Rub in a circular motion until all the paste and moisture is gone.
7. Checks the lenses to see if there are any further scratches or if they have not been removed completely.

If not, repeat the procedure all over again.

Use of wax, furniture polish or car polish.

1. Obtain brass or silver polish, car wax or furniture wax. These are more effective when used on glass lenses. One should be aware of the fact that acidic and abrasive substances will cause more damage to the lenses and may leave harmful residues which may cause irritation to the eyes.
2. Apply a small amount onto a cotton pad/ball. Avoid using coarse materials for instance brass wool or mesh pads as this will only cause further damage to the sunglasses.
3. Rub the polish or wax on the scratch using the soft cotton in gentle circular motions. The polish or wax is meant to repair the scratches by filling them in.
4. Using another clean cloth, clear off the polish from the lens. Use a dry soft cloth.
5. Check to ensure that the scratch has been removed by inspecting it against light. You can also wear the sunglasses to see if the scratch has been removed.

If not repeat the above procedure until the scratch is minimized or less visible.

Polarized sunglasses are more popular especially among water sport enthusiasts since they are known to reduce the horizontally reflected glare from water surfaces. They can also be used during outdoor activities such as skiing, cycling and golf. When fixing scratches on glass lenses that are polarized;

1. Use white, non-abrasive and non-gel toothpaste, squeeze a tiny drop onto a cotton wool or pad.
2. Gently rub the toothpaste over the scratch in a circular motion.
3. Using a micro-fiber cloth, wipe off the toothpaste.
4. Dampen and keep wiping the lens until all the toothpaste is cleared.
5. Repeat the step severally to achieve desired results.

One should also bear in mind that glass lenses have deep gouges that may be difficult to repair. Sometimes, it may be impossible to fix the scratch without proper professional intervention.

When fixing scratches on polarized plastic lenses;

1. Clean both sides of the two lenses with warm water and mild soap. Dry them completely.
2. Use a thin coat of petroleum jelly or scratch removing polish onto the entire lens. One can also opt to use non-abrasive white toothpaste, car wax or furniture polishes.
3. Rub the polish gently in a circular motion on the lens using a clean and dry microfiber cloth.
4. Repeat the procedure until the scratch clears.
5. When it is clear, use warm water and a little of mild soap to clean the lenses.

Plastic lenses are easier to fix when scratched. This also depends on the depth of the scratch. The main concept of this whole idea is to fill in the scratches using an oily substance.

To prevent any scratches on the sunglasses it is important to keep sunglasses in their respective cases when not in use. Also, one should have a warranty when purchasing sunglasses so that they can replace them when the scratches cannot be fixed.

When doing a regular clean up on your sunglasses, always use a lint free and soft cloth.

It is also important to know that scratches on glass lenses are more difficult to repair since they may be too deep. The above mentioned methods are meant to be used on minor scratches.  Hence for glass lenses, it may be necessary to replace the whole lenses.