Myopia Distopia

December 2, 2007 11:39 AM

Is it possible to undo 'clouding' on cellulose acetate and plastic eyeglass frames?

I've been wearing plastic and/or acetate cellulose eyeglass frames for years and years. After a year or so of wear, said frames always start to form cloudy white discoloration, maybe due to skin oils, maybe due to washing/getting wet... I don't really know. But the funny thing is, the cloudiness varies a bit from time to time, sometimes getting a little better, and sometimes a little worse. But it's generally ugly, leading me to spend money to replace frames sooner than I would for other reasons (not to mention abandoning kick ass frames like the ones I have now).

Does anyone have any tips on restoring frames to their former luster and glory? Or failing that, any preventative tips for the future?

posted by j-dawg to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (3 answers total)

I have had luck using cheapo floor wax like Future on things like that. dab some future on a paper towel and wipe down the frames. Don't glob it on, just use it like you would use a moist towelette. It will dry clear and shiny. I like it better than clear nail polish because it only leaves a very thin layer, just enough to fill in any scratches and make the surface clear again. Be careful not to get any on the glass part of your glasses.
posted by 45moore45 at 11:47 AM on December 2, 2007

You might try an automotive plastic polish.
posted by Thorzdad at 11:49 AM on December 2, 2007

Try a nail buffer block (start with the roughest and finish with the smoothest) on a test patch first. It worked for some of my glasses but not others.
posted by gatchaman at 11:49 AM on December 2, 2007