Can You Bend Your Plastic Glasses Frames Back?
Plastic eye glass frames are coming back into style! It seems like every glasses center has shelves and shelves of plastic frames—and it's no wonder. Plastic frames have many advantages. They're lightweight, comfortable, flexible and easy to repair when bent. How easy? Easy enough that in many cases, a capable DIYer can bend them back at home. All you'll need to get the job done is some common household items. The following two methods will allow you to bend back your plastic frames without ever leaving the house.
Method #1: The Hair Dryer
Identify the part of the glasses that you wish to bend, then use a hair dryer to heat that section. The trick is to heat the plastic just enough that it will bend slightly, and not to heat the plastic so much that the glasses are dangerous to touch. Turn the hair dryer on a hot setting, then hold the dryer up to the plastic for several seconds.
Then, set down the hair dryer and feel the plastic. If the plastic feels hot, hold the plastic between your hands and apply gentle pressure to bend the glasses to the desired shape. You can use this method to bend the arms of the glasses, or to bend the bridge over the nose, between the lenses.
Be careful not to bend the glasses too much. Try on the glasses between adjustments, and reheat the plastic as necessary.
Method #2: The Hot Water Bath
The effect here is similar to that of the hair dryer. Put a pot of water on the stove, then turn on the heat to a medium setting. Monitor the temperature of the water, allowing it to get hot but not boil. When the water is hot to the touch but not scalding, dip your glasses into the water. Leave the glasses there for several seconds, then pull them out and apply gentle pressure to bend the plastic.
If your plastic eyeglass frames become bent, the safest way to get them back into shape is to take them to the store where you bought them. Eye glasses stores will typically make minor repairs for free, and having your glasses fixed by an expert will help ensure that the job is done right, without damaging the plastic or the lenses. However, if you're in a pinch and don't have time to get to the store where you bought them, the above methods can be very effective. Click here for more info on eyeglass frames.