Adjusting plastic glasses at home can be done carefully using warm water to make the material pliable.
If your plastic glasses feel too tight or are not sitting correctly, a simple method involves using warm water to gently reshape the frames. This technique leverages the thermoplastic nature of most plastic frame materials, allowing for minor adjustments without causing damage, provided you follow the correct steps.
Simple Method for Adjusting Plastic Frames
One common and effective trick for adjusting plastic frames at home is to use warm water. This makes the plastic slightly more flexible, enabling you to make small corrections to the fit.
Steps for Adjustment
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to adjust your plastic glasses using the warm water method:
- Prepare the Water: Get a bowl of water that is warm, but not hot. The water should be comfortable to the touch, similar to warm bath water. Water that is too hot can damage the lenses, coatings, or the frame material itself.
- Soak the Frames: Carefully place the part of the glasses you need to adjust into the warm water. For example, if the temples (the arms that go over your ears) need adjusting, soak only the temples and the surrounding frame area in the water. The reference suggests soaking your glasses in a warm (not hot) bowl of water for 30-60 seconds.
- Gentle Adjustment: After soaking, remove the glasses from the water. Dry them gently with a soft cloth. The plastic should now be slightly pliable. You can then apply gentle pressure to bend or reshape the frames.
- For temple tightness: If the temples are too tight, apply upward and outward pressure on the temple ends. This can help them rest more comfortably on your ears while not constricting your face.
- For frames sliding down: If the frames are slipping, you might gently curve the temple ends inwards slightly more to hug the back of your ears better.
- For crooked frames: You can gently bend the frame front or temples to align the lenses horizontally.
- Check the Fit: Put the glasses on to see if the adjustment helped.
- Repeat if Necessary: If the adjustment wasn't enough, you can repeat the soaking and adjusting process. Make small adjustments each time.
- Allow to Cool: Once you are satisfied with the fit, let the glasses cool down to room temperature. The plastic will stiffen up again, holding the new shape.
Important Considerations
- Water Temperature: Reiterate: Use warm, not hot, water. High temperatures can distort the frame or damage lenses/coatings.
- Lenses: Try to avoid prolonged soaking of the lenses themselves, especially if they have special coatings. Soaking primarily the frame part you need to adjust is ideal.
- Gentle Pressure: Plastic can still break if too much force is applied. Always make adjustments slowly and gently.
- Limitations: This method is suitable for minor adjustments. For significant fitting issues or expensive frames, it's always best to visit an optician.
By carefully using the warm water method, you can often improve the fit of your plastic glasses from the comfort of your home.
