When you take your eyeglasses off your face and set them aside to rest or do other work, they can make a “rattling” sound a few minutes later, whether you sit on them, step on them, or accidentally drop them on the floor. Your glasses are likely to be damaged as a result. But don’t worry! You don’t have to give them up right away either. In fact, in most cases, bending and warping of glasses can be repaired. Read this blog and you will learn and understand how to fix bent eyeglasses.
First of all, it’s crucial to understand which repair method is the right one. This depends on what material your eyeglasses are made of. Metal frames are repaired differently than plastic frames, so it’s important to verify the material your glasses are made of before fixing them. Next, let’s take a look at how to fix bent eyeglasses and make sure they are restored to their best condition to continue to provide clarity for our vision.
Determining the Bending of Eyeglasses
The first thing you need to do before you decide to start fixing your eyeglasses is to scrutinize the bending. There are more types of eyeglasses that can be bent, and understanding each situation will help you choose the right fix. Common eyeglass bends include overall frame bends, bent temples, and partial frame deformities.
Overall Bending of Eyeglass Frames
Sometimes we accidentally bump into our eyeglasses or they get crushed, which can cause the entire frame to bend. If the frame of the eyeglasses looks like it has been flattened or stretched, and the whole shape has changed, then the frame is bent as a whole. Usually this happens when the shape of the lenses and the frame are asymmetrical and there may be a noticeable height difference between the two sides of the glasses.
Bent eyeglass temples
One of the most common bending problems is bent temples, usually due to improper handling while wearing, such as removing glasses with one hand. This condition is characterized by bending, twisting or loss of symmetry on one side of the temples, and you can usually feel the deformation in the temples by hand. In this case, the glasses can still be worn, but they may feel less comfortable or slip off easily when worn.
Partial deformation of eyeglass frames
Partial deformation of the frame is usually caused by impact or compression of a part of the frame, such as bending one side of the glasses or denting a corner. Although this type of deformation is not as noticeable as an overall bend, it can make your glasses less flat, which can cause discomfort when wearing them and may even affect your vision. Localized deformities are usually relatively simple to fix, requiring only careful adjustments to restore the original shape.
How to tell if your glasses are bent
To determine if your glasses are bent, place them on a flat tabletop and observe if they are placed smoothly. If a part of the frame is buckled or dented downward, the frame may be warped. If the temples look asymmetrical or feel uncomfortable when worn, the temples may be bent. By identifying the exact location of the bend, you’ll be able to choose the proper tools and methods to fix it.
Once you know about these bends, you can target your repair to avoid more damage from the wrong fix. When repairing your eyeglasses, be sure to take care and make gradual adjustments to ensure that they are restored to their optimal condition.
Preparing Tools for Fixing Eyeglasses
Before we get down to the business of fixing eyeglasses, we need to prepare some basic tools. In fact, you don’t need too complicated tools to fix your eyeglasses; basically, some common tools you have at home will be able to handle it. Let’s take a look at what tools you need to help you get the job done.
Small One-Way Screwdriver
First of all, a small one screwdriver is an essential tool when fixing eyeglasses. Many eyeglasses require screws to connect the frame to the lenses, or the temples to the frame. This small screwdriver comes in handy if the eyeglasses come loose, or if the screws fall out. Always remember to choose a screwdriver that matches the size of the screws in your eyeglasses, so you can avoid breaking them.
Tweezers
Sometimes the screws on your eyeglasses are so small that your fingers can’t handle them well, and that’s when tweezers become a must-have tool. Tweezers can help you pinch the small screws accurately and prevent your fingers from being too clumsy to mess up the screws. Tweezers are especially useful for repairing the detailed parts of eyeglasses. Even if you don’t have tweezers, a small pair of pliers can serve a similar purpose, as long as they help you grab small screws easily and complete the repair.
Soft cloth
The surface of eyeglasses is very easily scratched, so we must protect the surface of the lenses during the restoration process. A soft cloth serves this purpose. Using it to wipe your glasses not only cleans the frame, but also prevents the tools from scratching the lenses during the operation. Remember to use a clean and soft cloth, not a rough material, so as to avoid scratching the lenses.
Hot water (for plastic frames)
If your glasses have plastic frames, then hot water will be a very useful tool. The plastic material becomes softer when heated, and bent temples or frames will be able to return to their original shape more easily. Simply soak the bent portion of the temples or frames in hot water for 30 seconds to a minute, the plastic will soften slightly and you can then gently wrench it back to its original shape.
Spare screws and nuts
If your glasses have screws that have fallen out or come loose, it’s a good idea to have some spare screws and nuts on hand. These can be easily found at hardware stores, and they usually fit most eyeglasses. If you have loose or missing screws in your eyeglasses, replacing them in a timely manner will restore your glasses to their normal function and prevent you from having problems with the lenses coming loose or the temples falling off due to a dropped screw.
Cleaning Fluid
In addition to your regular tools, eyeglass cleaning solution is a must-have. Cleaning solution can help you clean the smudges and fingerprints on your eyeglasses and keep them clean. During the restoration process, there may be grease or dust attached to the frames, and using a specialized cleaning solution will ensure that the lenses remain clear and free of smudges that can affect your vision.
How to Fix Metal Eyeglass Frames
Metal eyeglass frames are the type of eyeglass frames that many people choose due to their durability and stability. When the temples or frames are bent, the repair is relatively simple, but it does require careful handling. Let’s take a look at the fixes for a bent metal frame situation.
Bent Eyeglass Legs
Bent metal temples are one of the most common problems, especially when we put on or take off our glasses on a daily basis and accidentally apply uneven force, resulting in excessive force on the temples. When fixing bent metal temples, the first thing you need to do is to make sure that you don’t scratch the surface of the temples during the operation. So, first wipe the temples with a soft cloth, which can avoid secondary damage to the temples during the repair process.
Next, gently hold the bent mirror leg with your hand, find the bent part, and adjust the mirror leg to the opposite direction with even force. Be careful not to use too much force in this process. After one adjustment, you can gradually check the shape of the mirror leg to make sure the adjustment is in place. During the repair process, move slowly to avoid excessive force resulting in broken or otherwise damaged mirror legs.
If the bent part is difficult to adjust, you can use tweezers or pliers to help the operation. Hold the tweezers on the bent part of the mirror leg and gently adjust the angle. Remember, don’t use too much force to avoid crushing or injuring the metal temples.
Bent eyeglass frames
The overall bending of the frame is usually due to deformation caused by external impact or prolonged use. To repair a bent frame, first check whether the connection between the frame and the lens is loose. If there are loose screws on the frame, use a small screwdriver to carefully tighten them. Make sure the screw type matches the eyeglass screw so that it does not slip or cause the screw to fail to hold.
For frames that are bent as a whole, we need to first find a flat tabletop and place the glasses on it smoothly. Then, carefully observe which side of the frame is higher or lower and adjust according to the size of the deviation. If one side of the frame is lower than the other, you can use your hand to gently hold the lower side and slowly push it upward, and at the same time, use your other hand to hold down the higher side and gently adjust it until the frame returns to level.
If a part of the frame is partially bent or concave, we can use tweezers or other small tools to gently push outward on the inside of the frame to restore the deformed part to its original shape. Be careful when doing this to avoid scratching or further damaging the lenses.
Check glasses after adjustment
After the repair is completed, do not rush to put on the glasses. Check the symmetry of the frames and temples once again first to make sure that the length of the temples on both sides is the same and the curvature of the frames has been fully restored. You can gently put on your glasses to feel if the temples fit the sides of your head and if the frames are balanced. If you still feel some asymmetry, you can make further fine adjustments until you are completely comfortable.
Don’t forget to clean the lenses after the adjustment is complete. During the repair process, the lenses may have some dust or fingerprints on them, use a special eyeglass cleaning cloth to gently wipe them to keep them clean and ensure clear vision.
How to Fix Plastic Eyeglass Frames
While plastic eyeglass frames are lighter and more comfortable compared to metal frames, their fragility also means that they are more prone to deformation, especially when bumped or subjected to undue force. Therefore, you need to be more careful when repairing plastic frames to avoid over-exertion or incorrect operation that may cause the frame to break. Next, let’s talk about how to fix bent and deformed plastic eyeglass frames.
Bent eyeglasses temples
When plastic eyeglasses temples are bent, we first need to make the temples softer so that we can adjust them. The easiest way to do this is to use hot water to soften the plastic. Prepare a cup of hot water and soak the bent portion of the legs in the hot water for 30 seconds to 1 minute. The water does not need to be too hot, but it should be enough to soften the mirror legs. At this point, the plastic will soften slightly and the repair will be easier.
Once the temples have softened, quickly dry the surface of the temples with a cloth, then gently wrench the temples back to their original shape by hand. Be careful to do this quickly, as the plastic will quickly regain its hardness as it cools, so be sure to finish the adjustment before it cools.
If the temples still don’t feel right after adjustment, heat the temples again and cool them once more to ensure they are firmly set. The best way is to put on the glasses and feel how the temples fit on the sides of your ears, and if there is still discomfort, you can fine-tune the fit until you achieve the most comfortable fit.
Bent frames
For the fix for plastic eyeglass frames, first you also need to soak the entire frame for one to two minutes using hot water. After soaking, the plastic becomes more flexible and you will be able to adjust the shape of the frame easily. After removing the frame, carefully work on a flat table.
You can adjust the shape of the frame by gently stretching or pressing the curved part of the frame with your hand. Maintain the symmetry of the frame when fixing it to make sure that both sides have the same shape. If one side of the frame is noticeably low or high, you will need to carefully adjust it until the frame is balanced.
Once the frame repair is complete, allow it to cool naturally and do not touch the frame during the cooling process as this may affect its shaping. After cooling, you can gently put on your glasses and check if the frame is back to its original shape. If you feel that the frame is not symmetrical enough, you can heat the frame again, fine-tune it and then cool it again.
Pay attention to operational details
When repairing plastic eyeglass frames, the most important thing is not to overheat and not to use too much force. Avoid overheating the hot water, as overheating can cause the plastic to deform or even break. Throughout the restoration process, keep patience and make adjustments gradually to ensure that every part of the glasses is restored to its original shape.
Also, when repairing plastic eyeglasses, avoid using sharp objects to press the frame, as this can easily lead to scratches or cracks on the surface of the frame. Use a soft cloth or your fingers to gently adjust to ensure that the operation will not harm the lenses or frames.
What are the do’s and don’ts?
When repairing eyeglasses, although the steps are simple, the details are very important. If you are not careful, you may cause more damage to your glasses. In order to make sure that the restoration process goes smoothly and the glasses are restored to their original condition, we need to pay special attention to some things. Here are some of the mistakes to avoid when restoring eyeglasses and some tips to help you better protect them.
Be careful with the lenses
The lenses of eyeglasses are the most vulnerable part, so during the restoration process, you must operate carefully to avoid scratching the lenses. Before repairing, it is recommended that you take off the lenses of your eyeglasses to avoid accidentally touching the lenses with your tools while repairing. If you are not going to remove the lenses, then use a soft cloth or protective film to wrap the lenses before repairing them to avoid them getting scratched or dirty.
Also, avoid rubbing the lenses with hard objects, especially if there is dust or stains on the surface of the lenses, it is best to gently wipe them clean with a special eyeglass cleaning solution and a cloth first. Rubbing with hard objects may cause scratches, which may affect your vision or even require lens replacement.
Heat moderately, avoid overheating
In case of plastic frames restoration, heating is an important step, but special attention should be paid to the temperature control. Excessive temperature will not only lead to deformation of the plastic, but may even cause it to break. When using hot water, the water temperature should be moderate, not too hot, lukewarm water is sufficient. Soak the temples or frames for 30 seconds to 1 minute before repairing.
Never expose frames or temples to a heat source for an extended period of time, and do not use boiling water to directly shock your eyeglasses. High temperatures may cause permanent distortion of the glasses or even damage the coating of the lenses, making it impossible to restore the glasses to their original state.
Avoid excessive force
When adjusting frames or temples, many people may be in a hurry to fix their eyeglasses, but excessive force may backfire. Whether it’s metal or plastic eyeglass frames, it’s important to use the proper amount of force to make adjustments. Instead of rushing to fix all the problems at once, you can do this over several sessions, making gradual adjustments, checking for changes in your glasses, and making sure that each adjustment is steady and effective.
If you find it difficult to fix the frames or temples, do not wrench or forcefully stretch them, but consider asking a professional to help you fix them. Some cases of bending may require more specialized tools and techniques to avoid breaking your glasses in the process of fixing them yourself.
Professional repair is more important for high-end eyewear
If your eyeglasses are more expensive, or if they are a high-end brand or made of special materials (e.g. titanium alloy, composite materials, etc.), then you should be extra careful when repairing them. If you don’t have enough experience, it’s not recommended to fix it by yourself, it’s better to send it to a professional eyeglasses store or repair store for repair. Professionals have a lot of experience and specialized tools to repair glasses without damaging the lenses or frames.
Regular inspection of eyeglasses
In order to avoid large bending and deformation of your glasses, it is important to practice good habits when wearing your glasses on a daily basis. For example, avoid removing your glasses with one hand to minimize the risk of frame distortion. At the same time, avoid exposing your glasses to high temperatures and humidity for a long period of time to maintain the stability and comfort of your frames.
In addition, check the looseness of the screws and lenses of your eyeglasses regularly, and give your frames a simple maintenance regularly. Small checks and maintenance can greatly extend the life of your glasses and avoid unnecessary repair work.
Conclusion
Just because your eyeglasses are bent doesn’t mean they are completely unusable. With the right repair methods, most eyeglasses can be restored to their original condition. Whether they are metal or plastic frames, with the right tools and methods, eyeglasses can be restored to their comfort and aesthetics. Of course, care and patience are crucial when restoring. With regular checkups and careful maintenance, your eyeglasses will not only stay in good condition for a long time, but you will also avoid unnecessary restoration problems.
If you are not familiar with the restoration of eyeglasses, you can start with these simple methods and gradually master the restoration techniques. After all, eyeglasses are an indispensable companion in our daily life, and taking care of them and extending their lifespan will better provide us with clear vision.
If your eyeglasses have become damaged or uncomfortable, or if you’re looking for a new pair of high-quality eyeglasses, Lensalter Eyewear offers a wide range of styles, so whether you’re looking for a pair of eyeglasses for everyday wear or as a restored replacement, Lensalter has a comfortable and stylish option for you.
