Made a mess gluing your glasses back together? Our guide explains how to get super glue off glasses with everyday around-the-house products. We’ll also direct you to a glue that provides precise application with no mess.
Acetone is the most effective way of removing super glue from any surface, including glasses. However, know what type of glasses you’re working with before you begin. Acetone can damage plastic lenses, frames and some specialized lens coatings. Once you’ve established your lenses are acetone resistant, here’s how it’s done.
- Saturate a Q-Tip or cotton ball in acetone-based nail polish remover.
- Hold the saturated cotton on the glue spot to soften the adhesive. The texture of the glue will change from hard to a softer, clay-like consistency.
- Wipe away the glue with the cotton ball or microfiber cloth as the adhesion gives.
- Clean glasses with a lint-free cloth once the glue has successfully been removed.
You can clean glasses soiled with glue with or without acetone
While acetone is the best solution for removing super glue, it can cause damage to specialized lens coatings and the finish of some frames. If acetone isn’t compatible for your glasses, try this milder alternative.
The dish soap method:
- Mix ½ cup warm water with 1 teaspoon dish soap until the soap has dissolved.
- Soak the corner of a microfiber cloth in the water until saturated.
- Press the cloth to the glue and let soak until the glue softens. Depending on the size of the spot, you may have to let the glasses soak for some time.
- Gently wipe away the glue with the microfiber cloth once it’s softened.
- Rinse and repeat until super glue is successfully removed.
A milder alternative for getting glue off glasses is the dish soap method
The best way to handle a sticky situation with your glasses is to avoid it in the first place. But super glue can be runny, making precise applications difficult. To avoid a sticky mess, reach for Loctite Super Glue Precision Pen. This device is fashioned with side squeeze grips that allow for precise and controlled application every time.