How to Remove Tint From Sunglasses

Sunglasses have tinted lenses that help reduce the sunlight's glare when you are outside or driving. Some prescription glasses also feature photochromic lenses that darken only when exposed to sunlight, eliminating the need to depend on two different sets of glasses. You may want to remove the tint from sunglasses so you can use them as regular glasses or to change the color of the tint. All tinted glasses, including sunglasses, are available with either plastic or glass lenses. Though you cannot remove tint from glass lenses, you can remove it from most plastic sunglasses with the use of a lens dyeing unit.

Things You'll Need

• Small screwdriver
• Lens dyeing unit
• Sunglasses
• Neutralizing or bleaching fluid

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Remove the lenses from the sunglasses frame. Some lenses simply pop out with a little pressure, while others have screws you must loosen. Use a small screwdriver available with most tool kits for fixing glasses. Apply slight pressure to the lenses when removing them. Do not bend the frame, as it can easily break or become damaged.

• 2

  Clean the lenses thoroughly, preferably with distilled water, to eliminate any mineral deposits left on the lenses. Use tap water if you cannot find distilled water. Allow the tap water to sit over night until all the mineral deposits settle to the bottom, then wash the glasses with it.

• 3

  Heat the lens dyeing unit to 210 degrees Fahrenheit; do not exceed this temperature. The unit can take 15 to 30 minutes to heat up, depending on which one you are using. Read the instructions manual provided with your particular unit for specific heating times for each type of lenses. For example, some lenses cannot be heated to more than 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

• 4

  Fill the lens dyeing unit with the lens neutralizing solution or bleaching solution. Place both lenses in each side of the lens holder, securing them from all four sides. Slowly lower them into the solution.

• 5

  Check the lenses after one minute to see whether they are bleached. Some lenses can take longer, depending on the type and gradient of tint. BPI, one of the world's largest manufacturer of tinting supplies, recommends that you do not keep sunglass lenses inside the hot neutralizing solution for more than 10 minutes.

• 6

  Repeat the bleaching process if the tint still requires additional removal. Rinse the lenses thoroughly and reinsert them into the frame of the sunglasses, or use a tint color of your choice to color them a different color using the lens tinting machine.