Super Glue is incredibly convenient when it comes to home repairs. However, it’s all too easy to accidentally drop a blob of glue on an unintended surface, especially if you’re repairing something small like your eyeglasses. This article teaches you how to get Super Glue off glasses without scratching or damaging the lenses or frames.
The best technique to remove Super Glue from glasses depends on the lens type. It’s crucial to determine your lens type to avoid damaging any protective coating that may be present. But, getting Super Glue on your eyeglasses doesn’t mean you need to rush to the optician for a replacement pair.
Super Glue, along with Krazy Glue and Gorilla Glue, is a fast-acting and strong adhesive derived from ethyl cyanoacrylate and sets quickly once applied. By the time you realize you’ve gotten a glue spot on your lenses, it may already be dry. Don’t worry; we have lots of tricks for how to remove super glue from an eyeglass lens safely.
- Best Tips for How to Remove Super Glue from an Eyeglasses Lens
- How to Get Super Glue off Glasses using Nail Polish Remover
- Get Super Glue off Glasses Lenses with Soapy Water
- How to Remove Super Glue from an Eyeglasses Lens with Rubbing Alcohol
- Remove Super Glue from Glasses with Toothpaste
- Remove Super Glue from Glasses with Essential Oils
- Use Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to Clean Super Glue off Glasses Lens
- Get Super Glue off Glasses with Baking Soda
- Remove Super Glue from Glasses with Olive Oil
- Clean Super Glue off of Transition Lenses
- Safely Scrape Super Glue off of Eyeglass Lenses
- How to Prevent Glue Spots on Glasses
- Recipe for Homemade Lens Cleaner
Best Tips for How to Remove Super Glue from an Eyeglasses Lens
If you get Super Glue on your eyeglasses during repair, it’s essential to act fast. The longer the bond has to set, the more difficult it is to remove.
One of the most tried and true methods for removing Super Glue from glass surfaces is acetone nail polish remover. However, this isn’t always the best option for cleaning super glue off eyeglasses.
Many lenses feature protective coatings, such as UV protection or anti-scratch, easily damaged by acetone. Always use a clean, soft cloth to dry your lenses after cleaning them to prevent watermarks and rust.
Avoid using a paper towel to dry your eyeglasses, as this could scratch the lenses. If your lenses have a protective coating, use one of the alternative techniques listed below to clean Super Glue off glasses lens.
How to Get Super Glue off Glasses using Nail Polish Remover
Nail polish remover is only safe to use on glass lenses. Pure acetone damages polycarbonate and plastic lenses, and nail polish remover contains other chemicals that wear away any protective coating on the lens. Do not use acetone to remove Super Glue from plastic lenses.
Only use this method if you’re sure that it won’t damage your glasses. If you’re not sure, try a patch test on a small area along the outer edge first.
Dip the cotton swab or cotton ball in nail polish remover. Gently rub the lens to loosen the hardened glue. Keep rubbing until you remove all of the adhesive. This might take some elbow grease, but be patient.
If the glue spot is especially stubborn, soak a clean cloth in the acetone solution and wrap the lens for several minutes to soften the bond. Once you remove Gorilla Glue or Super Glue from the glass lens, clean your eyeglasses with warm soapy water. Dry with a clean, soft cloth.
If you don’t have acetone in the house, consider cleaning eyeglasses with vinegar. White distilled vinegar will take off any grime and leave the surface resistant to water.
Get Super Glue off Glasses Lenses with Soapy Water
The gentlest and safest way to remove Super Glue from glasses is with warm water and dish soap. This is the best approach for polycarbonate and plastic lenses.
Make sure to use warm, not hot water, as water that is too hot could cause some lenses to crack or warp plastic frames.
Mix the warm soapy water in a bowl or other container and soak a soft cloth in the solution. Wrap your glasses with the damp cloth and allow the glue to soften for at least an hour. Use plastic wrap to hold in the moisture.
If you soak the glasses directly in the soapy water, make sure not to submerge the part of your glasses that you just fixed. Remove the plastic wrap and wipe away the softened glue with the damp cloth.
How to Remove Super Glue from an Eyeglasses Lens with Rubbing Alcohol
Using rubbing alcohol to remove Super Glue is safe for both glass and plastic lenses. However, if your lenses have a coating on them, test a small area on the lens’s edge first to ensure that you don’t damage the coating.
Saturate a cotton ball, cotton swab, or soft cloth with the rubbing alcohol. Gently rub the lens until the glue softens and comes off. Scrub with a clean area of the cloth or cotton ball as the softened glue detaches from the lens.
Once you remove all the glue, clean your eyeglasses with warm soapy water. Dry with a clean, soft cloth.
Remove Super Glue from Glasses with Toothpaste
Removing Super Glue with toothpaste is safe for both glass and plastic lenses. However, test a small section of the lens’s edge if your glasses have a protective coating to ensure that the toothpaste won’t damage it.
Avoid using toothpaste with abrasive particles or “micro-scrubbers” as they could scratch the lenses. Wet the glasses with warm water, then apply a small amount of toothpaste to a damp cloth or cotton ball.
Gently scrub the glue spot in a circular motion until it softens and comes off. Once you have removed all of the Super Glue, clean your glasses with warm soapy water. Dry with a clean, soft cloth.
Remove Super Glue from Glasses with Essential Oils
Tea tree and eucalyptus essential oils are effective at removing Super Glue from glasses. Test a small area on the edge of a lens first to ensure that it won’t cause any damage.
Apply four to five drops of essential oil to a cotton ball and gently rub the glue spot. As the oil saturates the hardened glue, it comes off with a bit of elbow grease.
Once all of the Super Glue is gone, clean your glasses with warm soapy water and dry them with a clean, soft cloth.
Use Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to Clean Super Glue off Glasses Lens
Many people have successfully removed Super Glue from an eyeglasses lens without scratching it using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Again, test an inconspicuous area of the lens first to avoid damage, and be patient as you gently scrub the lenses.
Once all of the hardened glue is removed, clean your glasses with warm soapy water and wipe them with a dry cloth. The Magic Eraser also works well for removing glue and stains when cleaning painted cabinet surfaces and other materials.
Get Super Glue off Glasses with Baking Soda
Make a paste with baking soda and coconut oil to safely remove Super Glue from glasses. Baking soda is non-abrasive and doesn’t scratch lenses. The coconut oil loosens hardened glue to detach it from the lens surface.
Mix equal parts baking soda and coconut oil to form a thick paste. With a soft cloth or cotton swab, apply the paste to the affected area and let it sit for at least 15 minutes.
Gently scrub the glue spot with a cotton swab or clean cloth until the hardened glue releases. Clean your glasses with warm soapy water and dry them with a soft cloth.
Remove Super Glue from Glasses with Olive Oil
Warm olive oil works to loosen the bond between the lens and the Super Glue, as well as being ideal to get Super Glue off your finger or hand. Heat a small amount of olive oil for five to ten seconds in the microwave.
Dip a cotton swab in the warm olive oil and gently rub the lens in a circular motion until the Super Glue comes loose. Clean your glasses with warm soapy water and pat them dry with a fresh, soft cloth.
Clean Super Glue off of Transition Lenses
When cleaning Transition lenses, avoid using rubbing alcohol, acetone, or other products with high acid concentrations to keep from causing damage.
The best manner of removing Super Glue from Transition lenses is to wrap them in a soft cloth soaked in warm soapy water. The same is true for most coated lenses, including glasses with UV and blue light protection, anti-scratch, and hydrophobic lenses.
Safely Scrape Super Glue off of Eyeglass Lenses
Warming the glue spot helps to loosen its bond to the lens surface. Before attempting to scrape a blob of glue off of your lenses, soak a clean cloth in warm soapy water and wrap the affected area for at least ten minutes.
Use plastic wrap to hold in the moisture, and cover them in a thick towel for insulation. Use a razor blade to scrape Super Glue off of glass lenses only. The metal razor blade may damage plastic lenses and protective coatings.
Lubricate the glass surfaces with warm soapy water before applying the razor blade. Keep the edge at a 40-45 degree angle to the lens. For coated and plastic lenses, use an object with a blunt edge like a nail file or butter knife.
Let the glue dry completely before scraping so that you don’t smear the goo while it’s still wet. Alternatively, try freezing your eyeglasses overnight to make the glue brittle and easier to scrape off.
How to Prevent Glue Spots on Glasses
Next time you need to use Super Glue to fix your glasses, try wrapping your lenses with plastic wrap or tape that won’t leave residue behind to protect your lenses from any accidental glue spills. Do the same for any parts of the eyeglasses frame that are close to the repair site.
Recipe for Homemade Lens Cleaner
For an inexpensive way to keep your glasses clean and prevent scratching, try this recipe for a homemade lens cleaner. Always use a soft cleaning cloth, preferably microfiber, when cleaning your glasses.
Before attempting to remove Super Glue from your eyeglasses using the techniques described above, make sure that they’re free from dirt and other particles that could scratch the lenses.
Combine equal parts witch hazel and distilled water in a clean spray bottle. Add two drops of dish soap and shake the bottle to blend. Spray the lenses of your eyeglasses and wipe with a clean, dry cloth.
Witch hazel is an excellent alternative to rubbing alcohol to get Super Glue off because it is safe to use on all types of lenses, including those with a coating. This homemade lens cleaner also works well for removing stickers when you buy a new pair of specs.
Super Glue is handy for quick fixes around the house. However, it sometimes seems to escape onto unintended surfaces at the last moment. If you get a bit of Super Glue on the lenses when fixing your eyeglasses, don’t worry.
There are numerous ways to remove Super Glue from glasses. Be sure to find out what type of lenses you have when selecting your glue removal method to avoid damaging your eyeglasses.
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