Scuffed lenses

[Talbot]

Mods, I'm sure this must have been raised, however I did a search but could not find a thread. Pls move or delete with my apols.

I recently picked up a nice pair or Willson tortoise shell frame sunglasses.

The lenses are the right green, but have very slight scufffing that is starting to annoy me. How does one deal with this? I want to polish the scuffing out, but don't want to ruin them.

Down under, replacement lenses will run to around $160, and the correct green is not available.

All advice gratefully recieved.

Talbot

 

[Warbaby]

Are the lenses glass or plastic?

 

[Edward]

I don't know any of the brand names, but i recall my dad a few years ago had an abrasive cream product that was designe specifically for taking scores out of the plastic material covering the dials on a motorcycle's console. Pretty effective as I recall - might be worth looking into?

 

[Naphtali]

It's difficult not to observe {Suppress it anyway - Bartender} Having written that platitude, here may be a fix.

Obtain:
1. 100 percent cotton handkerchief.
2. Obtain, after asking your dentist, the least abrasive toothpaste available.

Place a tiny -- TINY -- amount of toothpaste on the affected lens area, then gently rub, in circular pattern, with a finger enclosed in the handkerchief. Rinse and examine carefully. Repeat as needed.

This technique works on wrist watch display glass and plastic. However, you do not look at/through these surfaces constantly, as you do with spectacles. You may eliminate the scuff marks and alter whatever prescription/refractory properties of the optical glass or plastic. That is, the spectacles may look good and deliver an eye strain headache.

Hope this helps.

 

[Vintage Betty]

When I went to my optomotrist for my annual appointment, I just brought my vintage (sun)glasses along and he removed the scuff marks for free.

Note: I purchased an eye exam and pair of modern eyeglasses from him, so it wasn't a free appointment.

 

[Talbot]

Lenses are plastic. I usually use Brasso for watch crystals, and bakelite.

I wasn't sure Brasso would polish up on lenses to the point where it was optically clear and not leave a semi opaque patch.

I'd rather live with a scuffed patch in the centre than have the smoky look all over.

Thanks for your replies, much appreciated.

Talbot

 

[Warbaby]

Lenses are plastic. I usually use Brasso for watch crystals, and bakelite.

I wasn't sure Brasso would polish up on lenses to the point where it was optically clear and not leave a semi opaque patch.

I'd rather live with a scuffed patch in the centre than have the smoky look all over.

Thanks for your replies, much appreciated.

Talbot

Brasso contains chemicals that are definitely not good for plastic. Commercial plastics suppliers carry polishes that are specifically formulated for polishing plastics. Start with a scratch removing cream and work up to a final polishing cream on a soft cotton cloth. Be patient - it takes awhile to hand-polish a dull, scratched surface.

 

[John in Covina]

There are specialty plastic polishes such as one they use on aircraft windows BUT I'd ask the optomitrist, the eyeglass guys, they'd probably know best if there is a fix short of replacement.