I've buggered up my expensive specs - help!

[PeppermintTea2021]

I've been using what I think are alcohol-based spec wipes to clean the lenses and after six months or so I can see that the plastic frames have become cloudy - the alcohol or whatever are in the wipes has clearly taken the top sheen off the plastic :( I'm annoyed at myself for not considering this to be a possibility and having spent 300 quid on them I can't just bin them now.

Has anyone any tips on regaining a gloss on degraded plastic? My mum's suggested toothpaste but I am a bit concerned that's going to be more abrasive!

Thanks for any ideas...

Take them back to the shop and ask for a replacement

Take them back to the opticians and see what they offer.

If the opticians can’t do anything, do you know anyone that does nails enhancements? A coat of clear gel polish cured under a lamp might work?

Take them back to the opticians.

Ah shit, I've just realised this is what I've done! I couldn't figure out why my frames were going the same way

A bird shit down mine. Used a flash wipe. Ruined...
300 quid wasted also.

I work in an opticians. Simple answer is if it was your fault then there's not much we can do for you, unless you're willing to pay. 🤷🏼‍♀️

If it's the lenses that are cloudy it sounds like a breakdown of the coatings (usually anti-reflection/scratch-resistant) so you could possibly get the lenses reglazed but depending on your prescription that may be pricey.

I sometimes offer to send away under warranty (if that applies to you) but advise that there's a chance they won't cover the cost if they also believe it's down to accidental damage and not a manufacturer fault.

As an aside, I always wash my 5yo old DD glasses with liquid hand soap or washing up liquid then a hot rinse to self dry and avoid smears. I got lasered years ago but I learnt this approach from an optician.

Works a treat and as she is 5 they get truly bogging!

Sorry to all those who ruined their glasses

Thanks for the advice and suggestions. Might be temp thing but a tiny blob of bland moisturiser rubbed into the plastic has sort of disguised the effect (The Ordinary Plant Squalene for anyone interested)! I appreciate wiping ANYTHING else on is risking further damage...

And I thought I was being so careful only using the proper specs wipes and not just rubbing them on my shirt like I had done for years!!

Yes - hot soapy water hasn't ever let me down. I'll be sticking to that and a microfibre cloth if needed from now on. Lesson learned!

Is there anywhere that refurbs specs?
I've wondered before because I put mine in the dishwasher and it ruined my ray bans

to be honest just use a soft cloth. Take them off and away from you when using any sort of spray on hair/perfume. If its just the frames I would suggest a coat of clear nail polish as well. I also never spend that much on frames as I am not the most careful with specs and have been wearing them since I was 3. Am currently considering lasering but my prescription isn't that strong, but my Dad had them done at 70 and wished he had done it years ago

If the optician sold you the wipes or told you to use them, that will be something to bargain with.

Wipes are quite nasty.

btw toothpaste may work as its suggested for slightly cloudy glass. Not obv on lense if it has coatings though

Can I just add a warning about nail polish remover pads, one has eaten my glasses. I'd left one pad on the bedside table by mistake took my glasses off and put it on top of the pad and my glasses look like they are being digested by an alien.

I'm thinking a small amout of olive oil might help? Try in an unobtrusive area first.

By the sounds of it this would NOT be covered under a manufactures warranty as it’s something that you’ve, unfortunately Op, done to the frame.

You may be able to purchase a copy of the frame model and then have your lenses swapped over by your Optician. Usually very easy to do.

Toothpaste etc won’t do the trick.

(Student Optician)

I wonder if a dremel with felt polisher pad might do anything useful? Or car detailing stuff like scratchX which allegedly fixes cloudy plastic headlights?

The suggestion of Olive Oil is a good one and cheaper than the squalene I used (which is from what I can make out something similar - plant based oil). The squalene does seem to have helped or at least disguised it. Two hours or so on and the bit I've buffed with squalene oil is still looking better so I'll use that if I'm going out and about and just be careful about anything other than water getting on the frames!

To clarify, it's just the plastic frames that have developed a cloudy sheen, the lenses for which I paid full whack for all the coatings etc (mug) are fine and don't seem affected. Somewhat comforting to know from the thread I'm not the only one to have slipped up with this sort of thing although it really does suck!

Funnily enough my partner got my car through an MOT by polishing and buffing cloudy headlights with toothpaste! I think it might work but I am not sure I want to risk it for something I rely on more than my car

I got same frames off eBay and swopped out the lenses

Buy new ones from asda at a much lower price... Be they thinner, varifocals, tinted or whatever...

soap and water can ruin the coating of the lenses.
we use window cleaning liquid & lint wipe.

sorry about the frames op

@PeppermintTea2021

Yes - hot soapy water hasn't ever let me down. I'll be sticking to that and a microfibre cloth if needed from now on. Lesson learned!

Not hot and not soap both will break down the coating. Use warm water or if you need to degrease use a glasses cleaning spray bought from the opticians.