At The Sunglass Fix we know how much you love your shades.

Check out our videos and tips below and we'll have your favourite sunglasses looking great and fitting properly in a jiffy.

Adjustment & Repair

We want you to keep your sunglasses in top condition for years.

We have created a number of videos explaining how you can do your own sunglass repair - things like adjusting your frames, replacing your lenses and fixing your nosepads. If there's any specific topic you would like us to share please contact us at info@thesunglassfix.com.au and we'll see what we can do about adding it to our list.

 

DIY Videos

 
 

Finding Your Model Number

Replacing Your Lenses Easy Plastic Frame

Replacing Your Lenses Hard Plastic Frame

Replace Your Lenses Clip in Plastic Frame

Replace Your Lenses Clip In Metal Frame

Replace Your Lenses Metal Frame With Screw

How to Adjust Sunglass Frames for a better Fit

Sunglass Fix Quality Lenses

 

DIY Frame Adjustments

Hinge Adjustments

Over time sunglass hinges wear and the screws work themselves out. Loose hinges generally imply a looser fit and higher probability the sunglasses will fall off your head or slip when you are wearing them. Hinges should be tight enough that a gentle shake of the sunglasses while you’re holding the lenses does not cause the arms to move. They should also be loose enough that they don't break or strain when opening and closing.

To tighten your sunglasses, determine if you have phillips heads or standard screws. It's important to get proper screwdrivers and having a few quality screwdrivers around the house will pay for themselves over time.

Generally a firm grip of the sunglasses and a slight turn, about 5 degrees, is all it takes. After each turn do the shake test again until the arms don't move but close smoothly.

Once both arms are adjusted coat the screw head and screw bottom (if exposed) with clear nail polish. This will help to protect it.

Plastic and Metal Frame Adjustments

Both Metal and Plastic Frames can be adjusted. You should have a good idea of the adjustment you want before proceeding. If your sunglasses are too large try tightening the hinges first. Tighter hinges on eyeglasses sit firmer on your face.

If tightening your hinges isn’t enough The Sunglass Fix suggests slightly bending in the arms or the nose area. Both arm and nose adjustments will bring the end of the arms closer together thus fitting tighter on your head. First, trace your frames on a piece of paper. It’s important to know your starting shape. Frame adjustments should move in small increments. Usually only minor adjustments are required. Moving the arms in about 1cm at a time is the most we would ever suggest in a single adjustment. After each adjustment you can place your frames back on the traced pattern to see how much you have adjusted the sunglasses.

Plastic Frame Adjustments

Plastic Frames can be adjusted, with the right amount of care and consideration. Just take your time.

First of all, you should have a good idea of how much adjustment you want before proceeding. If your sunglasses are too large try tightening the hinges first. This can help with a poor fit. If this doesn't work we suggest slightly bending in the arms or the nose area to bring the end of the arms closer together.

IMPORTANT: We suggest soaking the frames in very hot tap water for 30 about seconds before adjusting them. Trace your frames on a piece of paper so you know your starting shape. Moving the arms in about 1cm at a time is the most we would ever suggest in a single adjustment. After each adjustment you can place it back on the traced pattern to see how it's going.

If you need to bend the arms, bend them about twice as far as you need too, and hold for 10 seconds. Release. Check them against your pattern. Repeat this until desired adjustments are made. Go slowly - you are better to make multiple small adjustments rather than risk breaking the frames.

Metal Frame Adjustments

In most cases metal frames can simply be bent by hand. We recommend tracing the frame first and making small adjustments until you get the desired fit. Additionally, needle nose or any standard set of pliers can also be used to help with bends in firmer frames.

We recommend covering the teeth or clamps of any pliers with a cloth. They will scratch frames if you do not cover pliers or frames first.

 

 

Replacing Nose Pads

Identifying Your Nose Pad Type

Nose pads come in many shapes, sizes, and flavors. The Sunglass Fix will simplify this into three major categories:

Screw In Nose Pads: These nose pads have a notch on them that goes into a metal stem that has a screw that goes through nose pad stem and the nose pad to hold secure it.

Push In Nose Pads: Push In nose pads have a notch on the nose pad that is tapered. Once pushed through the nose pad stem loop it snaps in and remains secure.

Rubber Moulded Nose Pads: These are perhaps the most diverse range of nose pads. They are a rubber moulded compound attached directly to the frame.

Installing Screw In Nose Pads

Screw In Nose pads are installed by unscrewing the small, usually 1mm, screw in the nose stem just enough to release the old nose pad. Please don't completely remove the screw as they are hard to find if you drop them.

Insert the new nose pad in the same direction as the original pushing the nose pad tab through the stem receiver. Line up the hold in the nose pad receiver the best you can then re-tighten the screw.

Installing Push In Nose Pads

Push In Nose pads are installed by first removing the original nose pad. Most of the time this can be done by pulling on the nose pad while firmly holding the nose pad stem. It's important to get a firm grip on the stem as stems will bend or break off if too much pressure is applied to them. You can also use a toothpick or optical screw driver to push the nose pad tab through the them receiver.

Once removed insert the new nose pad into the receiver. Push firmly on the nose pad face while holding the back of the stem receiver. If it doesn't go all the way in then get a set of pliers and cover the pliers teeth with a cloth. Very gently squeeze the nose pad into the stem putting as little strain on the stem as possible.

Installing Rubber Moulded Nose Pads

Rubber Moulded Nose Pads are very similar to Push in Nose Pads. There are many flavors of rubber moulded nose pads but most have a receiver on the frame that the rubber clips into. You can firmly pull off the existing nose pad and push on the new nose pad on the same receivers. The biggest issues we find with rubber moulded nose pads is that there are so many designs on the market that are frame specific it's difficult to get replacements.

You have two choices: First choice is to contact the manufacturer of the sunglasses directly and provide your model number and see if they have replacement nose pads. If it's a current model you might be able source nose pads from them. Alternatively, The Sunglass Fix has found a new product on the market called Sugru. We have been using it for about 4 years and it is a great alternative if you can't find replacement from the manufacturer. This product is similar to Play Dough.

It's easily moulded to a shape. You can mould it to your frames and put on your sunglasses to get a perfect mould to your nose. Once you are happy with the nose pads you let it sit for 24hrs and it secures itself to the frame and becomes a firm, long lasting, non smearing rubber nose pad.

Where to Get Replacement Nose Pads

Many optometrist carry nose pads. Your original sunglass manufacture may be an alternate source. Additionally, The Sunglass Fix carries a massive range of nose pads and other repair accessories on it's site.

 

You'll find videos and advice on a whole range of topics on our You Tube channel below.