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How to fix broken glasses

How to fix broken glasses

“You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.”

It's a frustrating feeling when your glasses break. More often than not, you’re left with perfectly fine lenses, but your frame is 'out the game'.

If you need help fixing your broken glasses, this guide offers some great (temporary) solutions before you seek professional help or get new ones.

Let's dive in.

 

Table of contents

Broken rim
Broken hinge
Broken bridge
Broken nose pad
Scratched lenses
Scratched plastic frame
Lenses have fallen out
Loose hinges
Lost screw

 

Can you fix glasses broken half?

Temporarily, yes. Plastic (acetate) glasses broken in half at the bridge can be temporarily fixed using tape, adhesive or a mixture of both. In this instance, glue and reinforcing tape can be used to make a temporary bond. Metal frames are less easily fixed, but can be lightly held together with strong sticky tape.

However, it's worth mentioning that snapped glasses frames are very difficult to fully repair. Damage like this is typically irreversible and usually require for you to get new glasses.

For a guide on how to do this, click here.

 

Before you start

If you're used to working with small fiddly components, then you'll know how difficult this can be.

My best advice is that you do any repair-work sitting down at a table or desk, working on top of a large piece of white paper.

This way, you can see more easily and any small screws will be more visible in case you drop it… which is pretty much inevitable.

Annoyingly, small optical screws just looove rolling under heavy objects or falling between floorboards. You’ve been warned.

 

Pro tip: if you're unsure you can repair your own glasses, an easy win is to try and get the *exact* same frame as your current broken ones, your lenses should be compatible with the new ones. This could save you the extra money for replacement lenses too.

Anyways, depending on what material your glasses are made of, scroll below for the best repair methods, materials and techniques you can use to fix them.

 

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How to fix a broken glasses rim

Acetate frame broken at the rim can be bonded back together using super glue or epoxy resin. However, the rim can also be 'bonded' using nail polish remover which contains acetone. (Acetone only works on frames made of cellulose acetate.)

  • Clean the break with lukewarm water mixed with dishwashing detergent
  • Using a clean cloth, thoroughly dab the break so it’s completely dry
  • Cover your lenses in painter’s tape to protect them for the next stage
  • Between the broken halves of the rim, sparingly apply the super glue or acetone
  • Pinch the break closed, being careful not to squeeze any adhesive onto your lenses
  • Hold your frame for 60 seconds to ensure a proper bond. (You can also use a rubber band to create consistent pressure between the break so you don't have to keep holding your frame.)
  • Leave the adhesive to fully ‘cure’ for 1-2 hours before removing the tape from your lenses

 

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How to fix a broken glasses hinge

Your glasses hinges connect the frame front to the temples (arms). If the hinge has sheared-off completely, then it must be replaced or the frame cannot be re-joined back together again.

Acetate glasses hinges are more easily repaired as they can be re-melted or re-riveted back into place. To do this, you'll need the help of a skilled glasses repair service.

Metal glasses frames use soldered hinges which are less easily replaced or repaired. For this, you'll definitely need the help of glasses repair service.

If you have lost the screw for your hinges or it won’t tighten, you can readily buy inexpensive glasses repair kits online.

 

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How to fix a broken glasses bridge

Plastic glasses frames which have snapped at the bridge can be temporarily repaired using adhesive or nail polish remover which contains acetone. Ideally the bond should be supported using tape or better still, heat-shrink tubing. Metal frames broken at the bridge are less easily repaired, but a similar method can be used.

 

Heat shrink method

  • Clean both halves of the break with lukewarm water mixed with dishwashing detergent
  • Using a clean cloth, thoroughly dab the break so it’s completely dry.
  • Cover your lenses in painter’s tape to protect them
  • Cut a section of heat shrink tubing that spans the width of your frame’s nose bridge
  • On both broken halves of the broken bridge, sparingly apply the super glue or acetone to the snapped surfaces
  • Slip the heat shrink tubing over one half of the broken bridge and pinch the break closed, being careful not to squeeze any adhesive onto your lenses
  • Hold your frame for 60 seconds to ensure a proper bond
  • Now you can use a heat source such as a hair dryer to shrink the heat shrink tubing around the bonded bridge
  • Leave your frame to let the glue or acetone fully ‘cure’ for 1-2 hours before removing the tape from your lenses

 

Tape method

Repeat the same stages above but reinforce the bonded nose bridge with sticky tape. For aesthetics, you can try to match the tape to the colour of your frame like black on black. For patterns or colours, it’s best to use clear Sellotape until you can get new glasses.

 

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How to fix a broken glasses nose pad

Both metal-rimmed or acetate glasses frames often use adjustable or removable nose pads. If your nose pad has become bent or lost, follow this guide to repair it.

Bent nose pads can be adjusted back into place, either using your fingers or with a pair of pliers. Be sure to gently tweak the pad arm back into place so the pads are at the correct width for your nose.

Lost nose pads can be replaced using kits purchased online. The pads are usually held in place with a small screw or can also be a friction-fit. Check which types you need by checking the remaining nose pad.

Acetate glasses with metal nose pad arms aren’t easily fixed without the proper tools, but you can try using super glue or epoxy resin to fix it back in pace. Alternatively, you can remove the other pad arm and replace them with adhesive silicone nose pads from Amazon.

 

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How to fix scratched lenses

If your lenses are scratched, there two ways you can help to polish or blend them-out. These methods won’t remove the scratches entirely, but will help to reduce their visibility. Inevitably, any coatings such as anti-glare will become more damaged by attempting to 'blend' scratches away.

*Note, these methods are for the lenses and not the frame. 

Non-gel toothpaste: With a soft cloth or cotton pad, apply a small amount of toothpaste to your scratched lenses. Rubbing in a side-to-side motion, gently buff-out the surface scratches. To clean your lenses, immerse your frame in lukewarm water mixed with dish detergent. Use your thumbs to gently rub the lenses clean of any residual toothpaste. Dry using a microfibre cloth.

Baking soda: Mix a small amount of baking soda with water to create a thick paste. With a soft cloth or cotton pad, apply a small amount of the paste to your scratched lenses. Rubbing in a side-to-side motion, gently buff-out the surface scratches. Clean your lenses in lukewarm soapy water and dry with a microfibre cloth.

To prevent scratches, it’s best to keep your glasses in a protective case when you aren’t wearing them. This prolongs the life of your frame and lenses and minimises the chances of scratches.

 

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How to fix a scratched glasses frame

Acetate glasses frames can be re-polished to remove any scuffs or scratches. Avoiding your lenses, you can do this at home using various polishing methods and a soft cloth. However, there are services online or willing local opticians who can do this for you professionally using motorised polishing mops.

 

Doing it yourself at home

To remove scratches from your acetate glasses, we recommend using plastic-specific polishing cloths and pastes made by Novus which you can buy here. Before you start, it’s crucial to protect your lenses using painter’s tape (masking tape) to prevent damaging your lenses.

  1. Sparingly apply the liquid from bottle no.3 (green) to the cloth provided. Avoiding your lenses, start polishing the worst of the scratches on your acetate frame. If you need to apply pressure, support your frame on a soft cloth upon a desk to prevent straining your frame’s hinges.
  2. Use a fresh cloth and bottle no.2 (red) to polish over the remaining scratches. This stage should start to become shiny and less scratched.
  3. For a high shine, use another fresh cloth and bottle no.1 (blue). This stage will take the longest but will bring your acetate back to a shiny surface finish.

 

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How to fix glasses lenses that have fallen out

Acetate glasses frames can become stretched, making the lenses become loose to the point where they can fall out. If this has happened, follow the steps below. (For metal glasses, scroll down further.)

For plastic glasses

  • Using a hair dryer, carefully heat the frame on the side with the missing lens for around 30-60 seconds
  • Don’t apply direct heat to either of your lenses as this can cause damage to the coatings (a reaction called crazing).
  • From the front side of the frame, locate the lens into the lens groove as best you can 'chasing' it round the rim
  • With both your thumbs, push the remaining lens into place
  • If the lens is being stubborn, you need to heat the frame more thoroughly to make the plastic more malleable

 

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For metal glasses

Metal glasses frames use a screw which holds the entire rim closed around the lens. If this screw comes loose, follow this guide to re-fit your lens back in place.

  • Place a sheet of white/blank paper on a desk
  • Grab a seat and sit at the desk where you'll make this repair
  • Using a flat-head or star-drive screwdriver, loosen the rim screw without removing it. 
  • If the screw falls out, the white paper will make it easier to find!
  • The metal rim should still be closed, but open-enough to ‘accept’ the lens
  • Locate the lens back into the metal rim
  • Re-tighten the rim screw so it holds the lens securely

*If you have lost the rim-screw, you’ll need to get a replacement from a repair kit

 

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How to fix loose glasses hinges

If your glasses hinges have become loose, you’ll need a micro screwdriver and compatible screw to tighten them again. If the screw or hinge threads have become worn and won’t fully tighten, you may need some thread tape or thread sealant to help secure it in place.

Thread tape or sealant improves the marriage between the male and female threads within the hinge so the screw is less likely to come loose. Using tape is very fiddly, so it’s usually easier to use sealant which can be applied to the screw’s threads.

 

 

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How to fix a lost glasses screw

Spare screws for glasses or sunglasses hinges are readily available online or in hardware shops. To tighten a replacement screw, you’ll need a compatible screwdriver with the correct driver/head.  But if you’re looking for a quick fix, here’s some temporary solutions.

How to fix glasses arm hinge

A paper clip can temporarily loop through your hinge to hold your glasses together. But be careful not to open and close the frame to prevent damaging the internal hinge threads.

A metal hairclip or ‘Kirby’ can be used to temporarily replace your missing screw. This is just a quick fix that can keep your glasses in-action.

A toothpick can be jammed into the hinge where the screw previously located. You can snap or trim the toothpick to-length as a temporary fix, until you get a new screw.

 

 

Glasses repair services

How much does it cost to reshape glasses?

The cost of glasses repair depends on the damage caused to your frame. There are various services online which offer a quotation based on your needs. See the list below for options.

 

Country  Glasses repairs & adjustments company
UK AlphaOmega
UK Spec-Tech
UK Repair Glasses
UK Simple Spex
UK Glasses Repair
UK Glasses repairs & lenses
USA Fix My Glasses
USA Eyeglass Repair USA
USA World Optic
USA American Eyeglass Repair

 

Can snapped glasses be fixed?

Yes, if your plastic glasses are snapped, they can be fused together using acetone and reinforcement such as adhesive tape or heat shrink tubing. Metal glasses frames are less easily fixed and will probably need replaced if they are snapped at the bridge, hinges or temples (arms).

 

Hopefully you found this article helpful.

Thanks for stopping by.


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