- The Sunglass Fix

Don't Say Goodbye to Your Busted Shades

People around the world love sunglasses. About half of all Australians wear them, and they've been the subject of many innovations over the years. In 1936, Ray Ban developed anti-glare aviators to protect the eyes of pilots, and in 1953, they launched the Wayfarer -- which remains the best selling style of sunglasses in history. More recently, in 2004, sunglasses with built-in audio players even hit the market.

We certainly do love our shades, but that doesn't protect them from occasional mishaps. Every 14 seconds, someone loses, breaks, or sits on their sunglasses. Fortunately, it doesn't all have to end there. Here, we'll talk about how to fix sunglasses that have been scratched or broken.

How to Fix Sunglasses

If they're scratched up...

There are a few potential methods you might come across in your efforts to learn how to fix scratches on sunglasses.

  1. Brass or silver polish can be rubbed onto scratched lenses with a cotton ball. Remove any excess polish with a clean, lint-free cloth.
  2. A non-abrasive, non-minty, non-gel, non-whitening toothpaste can also be applied to scratched lenses with a cotton ball. Rinse after about 10 seconds with cool water and use a lint-free cloth to remove any excess paste.
  3. Mix one part water with two parts baking soda to create a scratch removal paste. Rub it into the scratch with a cotton ball for 10 seconds before rinsing the paste off with cool water and wiping away residue with a clean, lint-free cloth.
  4. Vehicle wax can be very effective for removing scratches. Apply it in a circular motion with a soft cloth and wipe away excess with a second cloth.
  5. Lemon Pledge has received mixed reviews, but it will leave your lenses smelling fresh and clean, at the very least. Spray your lenses lightly with Pledge and then rub it around in a circular motion with a clean, lint-free cloth.

If the lenses are busted...

It's easier than you think to install replacement sunglass lenses. Many companies selling replacement lenses will perform the switch for you if you're really unsure about how to replace sunglass lenses. If you want to save a little cash, however, read on. It's definitely do-able.

  • For metal sunglasses, simply loosen the screw holding the frames together and remove the old lenses. Align the new lenses inside the frames before tightening the screw back up and checking for a proper fit.
  • For plastic sunglasses, you've got a little bit more work to do. Start by soaking the glasses in warm, soapy water to help the frames relax a little. Next, push forward on the lenses so that they are released from the frames. Pop the new lenses in by aligning them with one part of the frames and gently pushing the rest into place, working your way around the lens.

Though many wearers of the world's favorite accessory aren't sure how to fix sunglasses when they break, it's a skill worth learning. There's nothing like salvaging that favorite pair to glam up another summer.

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