6 Things Not to Do First When Your Glasses Break
At our factory in Sabae, Fukui Prefecture, we repair glasses daily. We receive glasses in various conditions, including those from other brands.
Among them, sometimes we encounter cases like this:
"I could have fixed it if it had been left as it was when it broke, but now I can't fix it because there are signs of an attempted repair."
The customer has no ill intentions whatsoever. Rather, it's the result of them trying to "do something about it." However, glasses are more delicate than you might think, and well-intentioned actions can sometimes be fatal.
Here are six things you should NOT do if your glasses break, along with the reasons why.
1. Using Super Glue
This is the most common and most regrettable mistake.
Broken metal parts can sometimes be restored to near-original strength with laser welding. However, if glue is present, welding is impossible. If adhesive components remain on the welding surface, the metals will not fuse correctly, so the first step requires completely removing the adhesive. If it's within the scope of being scraped off, it's just an extra step, but if it has flowed deep into the gaps, welding there becomes impossible.
In the case of plastic (acetate), it's even more problematic, as the surface touched by super glue will cloud over white. This clouding cannot be removed by polishing.
If your glasses break, please leave them as they are. That state offers the highest chance of repair.
2. Turning Screws with an Ill-Fitting Screwdriver
When a screw loosens, you might be tempted to tighten it with a precision screwdriver you have at home.
Glasses screws are very small, and their head grooves are shallow. Using a screwdriver that doesn't fit will strip the groove. A stripped screw cannot be turned or removed.
When this happens, the screw needs to be destroyed and removed. Doing this without damaging the hinge hole is difficult, and in the worst-case scenario, the entire hinge needs to be replaced. What started as a single screw issue can turn into a component replacement.
If a screw has only loosened, it's a minor repair. Please bring them in without touching them.
3. Bending Them Yourself to Adjust
Trying to bend them back by hand because they're "a little crooked" might be the most dangerous action.
Metal frames, especially titanium, accumulate metal fatigue each time they are bent back and forth. Even if it seems fixed at the moment, the same spot will break again next time. Moreover, the breaking point is usually where it was bent.
Plastic frames will crack if force is applied at room temperature. If it seems easy when you see adjustments being made in a store, it's because they are heated to the appropriate temperature before bending the correct part in the correct direction.
4. Heating and Bending with a Hair Dryer or Hot Water
Those who know about point 3 are more likely to do this.
Temperature control is extremely difficult. If the temperature is too low, it will crack, and if it's too high, the coating will peel off. If the lenses are heated while still in the frame, the lens coating may become cloudy white. This cloudiness cannot be reversed.
The result is often that the frame is fixed, but the lenses need to be replaced.
5. Discarding Broken Fragments
When a small part breaks off, some people throw it away, thinking, "I won't need this."
The more fragments you have, the higher the chance of repair. If the original part can be welded back, the color and shape will be restored. Without fragments, the part needs to be remade, which significantly changes the cost and time, and for older models, it may be impossible to reproduce.
Please collect all fragments you can find, including small screws that fall on the floor or pieces of a shattered nose pad, and send them together.
6. Forcing Loose Lenses Back In
When a lens comes out, you might be tempted to push it back in with your finger.
In frames with rims, the force of pushing can spread the rim or chip the edge of the lens. For Nylor frames (where only the top half has a rim and the bottom is suspended by a nylon thread), the cause is often a stretched or nearly broken thread, so pushing it in won't make it stay. Forcing it can completely break the thread.
Store a detached lens separately in a soft cloth or bag to prevent it from getting scratched.
If they break, just do these things first
This is the reverse of what you shouldn't do. There are only four things:
- Don't touch them any further. The state they were in when they broke is the best state for repair.
- Collect all fragments. Smaller pieces are more important.
- Put them in a soft cloth or bag. To prevent the broken surfaces from rubbing against each other.
- Take a picture. This will help us process your consultation more quickly.
It's okay if you're unsure whether they can be fixed.
Please feel free to consult us even if you're unsure "if this can be fixed" or "how much it will cost."
Our repair service starts with receiving your item at no cost, and we'll send you an estimate after inspecting the actual product. You can decide whether to proceed with the repair after seeing the cost. We also accept glasses from other brands.
Our in-house factory in Sabae handles laser welding, re-plating, and replacement of nose pad arms (clings).
If you only want to replace the lenses, we accept requests for lens replacement. This includes glasses purchased from other stores or online.
