How to Remove Superglue from Eye Glasses

Nicholl asked: How do I get super glue off eye glasses? I tried to fix my glasses with super glue, but I got it on the lens. My lenses aren’t glass, they are plastic, so I can’t use nail varnish remover because the acetone will affect the plastic. It’s cheap super glue. Please help.

There are several factors to consider before you attempt to remove the superglue: what material are the lenses, and do they have a coating on them (such as for UV protection). Look through the methods below to choose one that is safe for your type of lenses, then follow the steps to remove the glue.

Removing the Glue with Water

This is the safest method for lenses that have a coating on them. Most adhesives, including superglue, can be softened with water. It may take time, but it can work.

You Will Need:

• Water
• Ammonia-free dishwashing liquid
• A soft cloth
• Plastic wrap
• A soft cloth

Steps to Remove the Glue:

1. Mix some ammonia-free dish liquid in water to make suds.
2. Dip a soft cloth folded together in the soapy water to get it wet, then press it over the glue. (You could just soak the glasses in the bowl of water instead, but that would also loosen the glue that you put on the lenses in the right place.)
3. Wrap plastic wrap around the damp cloth to keep in the moisture.
4. Let the glue soak for several (at least 3) hours.
5. Remove the plastic wrap and use the damp cloth to wipe off the softened glue.
6. If the cloth does not soften, you may need to use warm water. To do this, moisten a cloth with warm water, then press the cloth onto the glue. Be sure to only use warm water, not hot. According to Jean (Thanks!), soaking coated lenses in hot water for too long can cause cracking.
7. Every 15-20 minutes, re-soak the cloth with warm water and put it back on the glue.
8. Do this as many times as needed to soften the glue.
9. If this method does not work, consider using the toothpaste method below. Several site users have reported using toothpaste on coated lenses without any problems.
10. When the lenses are clean, dry them with a soft cloth to prevent any water marks and avoid having any metal parts rust.

Removing the Glue with Alcohol

This method is safe for both plastic and glass lenses. If your lenses have a coating on them, test this method along one corner edge first to be sure it does not damage the coating.

You Will Need:

• A soft cloth
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Razor blade
• Mild soap
• Water
• A soft cloth

Steps to Remove the Glue:

1. Moisten a soft cloth with isopropyl alcohol.
2. Use the cloth to rub off the glue. This may take some elbow grease. Rotate the cloth to a new area as the glue is transferred to it.
3. Several site users have written in to say that carefully using either a razor blade or a fingernail to scrape off the glue once it has softened a bit works well. However, this should not be used for lenses that have a coating on them as it will almost certainly damage the coating as well. Also, be very careful not to scratch the glasses with the razor blade.
4. Clean the area afterward with a mild soap and water.
5. When the lenses are clean, dry them with a soft cloth to prevent any water marks and avoid having any metal parts rust.

Removing the Glue with Acetone

This method is safe for glass lenses only. Do not use this method on plastic lenses. If your lenses have a coating on them, test this method along one corner edge first to be sure it does not damage the coating. For glass lenses without a coating, this is the easiest method to use for removing the glue.

You Will Need:

• A soft cloth
• Acetone
  Razor blade
• Mild soap
• Water
• A soft cloth

Steps to Remove the Glue:

1. Moisten a cloth with some pure acetone. This can be purchased at either a hardware store or at a beauty supply shop. Acetone nail polish remover can be used instead, but it has other chemicals in it, so it should not be used with lenses that have a coating on them.
2. Rub the cloth over the glue until it is removed. This may take some elbow grease. Rotate the cloth to a clean area as the glue is transferred to it
3. Several site users have written in to say that carefully using either a razor blade or fingernail to scrape off the glue once it has softened a bit works well. However, this should not be used for lenses that have a coating on them as it will almost certainly damage the coating as well.
4. Clean the area afterward with a mild soap and water.
5. When the lenses are clean, dry them with a soft cloth to prevent any water marks and avoid having any metal parts rust.

Removing the Glue with Toothpaste

This method is safe for both plastic and glass lenses. Several site users have used this method on coated lenses without damaging the coating. However, if your lenses have a coating, test this solution first along a corner edge to be sure it does not cause any damage.

• Many site users have written in to say that wetting the glue with warm water, then gently rubbing toothpaste over the glue with a cloth worked well to remove the glue. It may take some time and elbow grease, but dozens of people have had success with this method. Most people have used plain white toothpaste, but there are gel toothpaste users who have had success as well.
• Do not use any kind of toothpaste that contains ‘micro-scrubbers’ (the blue balls, etc.) as they can scratch the lens.

Additional Tips

• Several site users have had success removing the glue with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
• Never use paper towels to clean eyeglasses as they could cause scratches.
• The next time you need to superglue your eyeglasses, cover the lenses first with a piece of plastic wrap or tape. That way, you can easily peel off the tape when you have finished applying the glue to remove it from the lens.
• If you want to have your lenses repaired professionally rather than gluing them, a jewelry store may be able to solder them back together for you if the part that broke is metal.

Sources

• Fix It, Clean It, Make It Last by Gayle Wood
• Jewelry Repair Manual by R. Allen Hardy