How to Remove Scratches on Sunglasses

Scratches on the lenses of sunglasses will make it difficult to see, and even reduce the polarization of sunglasses used in sports such as hockey and golf. This article will tell you a few ways to remove scratches on sunglasses lenses, including using toothpaste, baking soda, or polishing agents to scrub or fill in the scratches.

Table of Contents

Remove scratches with toothpaste

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Buy toothpaste that is white and free of abrasives. You need to choose a toothpaste that does not contain mints, gels and/or whitening ingredients. Regular white toothpaste is the most effective for cleaning sunglasses, while toothpastes with special ingredients can further damage lenses. Baking soda like Arm & Hammer is a great choice for cleaning lenses because it doesn’t contain abrasive chemicals. ^{[1] X Research Source}

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Squeeze a pea-sized amount of toothpaste onto a cotton ball. Remember to use only a small amount to prevent the glasses from smearing due to excess cream. Cotton wool is the most suitable material as it leaves little to no streaks or lint. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Rub a cotton ball over the scratch. Use a cotton ball to rub the scratch in a circular motion for 10 seconds for each scratch. This will help polish the scratches on the lenses.

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Rinse off the toothpaste on the lenses. Place the glasses under a stream of cool water to rinse off the toothpaste. Rotate the lenses under a stream of water to rinse off all the toothpaste. Pay attention to the amount of cream getting into the small slits between the lens and the frame.

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Wipe off the toothpaste with a soft, lint-free cloth. Rough or sandy fabrics can easily create additional scratches on the lenses. You should hold the cloth with your index finger and thumb, carefully rubbing around the scratch to remove any remaining water or toothpaste. Remember not to press too hard on the lenses to avoid accidentally popping the lenses.

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Check lenses. Examine the lens under a light to check if the scratch has been removed. Put your glasses back on and see if you can still see any scratches. If the scratch is still there, use a cotton ball and toothpaste to rub it again and again until no more scratches appear. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Remove scratches with a mixture of baking soda and water

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Use baking soda and water. The alkalinity of baking soda is ideal for dislodging acidic stains and restoring lens clarity. When combined, water and baking soda form a paste that can be used to clean and remove scratches. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Mix 1 part water with 2 parts baking soda in a bowl. The amount of water and baking soda needs to be mixed more or less depending on the size and number of scratches on the lenses. You should start with 1 tablespoon water and 2 tablespoons baking soda, then add more if the glass is scratched too much. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

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Mix water with baking soda. Stir the baking soda with the water until it forms a paste. Be sure not to add too much water, as the mixture will be less effective if it is too liquid.

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Find a cotton ball. Dip a cotton ball in the baking soda and water mixture. You only need a pea-sized amount of paste to treat each scratch.

Remove scratches with polish, car polish or furniture wax

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Buy car polish, furniture polish, or silver or brass polish. These products work on lenses just as they do on other surfaces and are often very effective at removing scratches on sunglasses lenses, especially plastic lenses. Never use abrasive or acidic cleaners, as these will damage your lenses and leave behind chemicals that are harmful to your eyes. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

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Apply a pea-sized amount of polish on a cotton ball. A soft, lint-free cloth is also suitable for this. Do not use rough materials such as steel wool, sponges or plastic mesh sponges to avoid further scratching the lenses. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

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Rub wax/polish onto the scratch. Use a soft cloth or cotton ball to rub wax or polish on the scratch in gentle circular motions for about 10 seconds. Polishing products will fill in scratches on lenses.

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Wipe the lenses again with a soft lint-free cloth. Be sure to use a dry cloth, as you will be wiping the wax/polish off the lenses. Grasp the cloth with your thumb and forefinger, and gently rub off the wax/cream stains on the lenses.

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Check for scratches. Place the glass under the light to check for any scratches. Put glasses on your eyes to make sure there are no scratches left in your vision. If scratches are still visible on the lenses, reapply the wax/polish and gently rub until the scratch disappears.

Advice

Store your glasses in a case to reduce the risk of scratches.
Consider purchasing a sunglasses warranty that can be replaced in the event of irreparable scratches on the lenses.
Always use a soft, lint-free cloth when cleaning the glasses.

Warning

Sunglasses often have lenses that are highly scratch resistant, which means scratches that appear on the lenses can be very deep and very difficult to repair. Remember that only minor scratches can be repaired using the methods described in this article; In the case of deep scratches, you may need to replace the lenses with another manufacturer.

Things you need

Cotton
Soft, lint-free fabric
Toothpaste
Baking soda
Water
Silver or brass polishing chemicals
Car polishing wax
Wood polishing wax

Steps