How to Tint Existing Lenses

If you want to make your lenses darker and have access to a lens tinting machine, you can darken your lenses in a few simple steps. Keep in mind that some lenses, including lenses with anti-reflective coatings, glass lenses and other types of lenses, cannot be tinted or changed. Old lenses may not absorb new tint properly. Check with your optician if you are unsure about your type of lenses before trying to change the tint in your lenses.

Things You'll Need

• Lens tinting machine
• Lens color
• Neutralizer

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Verify your lenses are the right material and type of lens that is tintable. CR-39 plastic is the most common type of tinted lens. Opticians learn to tell different lens materials by the sound a lens makes when gently dropped on a surface. Plastic lenses make a bit of a thud sound. Polycarbonate lenses and glass lenses, which should not be put in a dye unit, sound different from plastic. Glass lenses make a "ping" sound and are heavier. Polycarbonate is a cross between a ping and a thud. If you are unsure of your lens material, check with your eye care practitioner.

• 2

  Turn on the lens tinting machine and allow it to heat up according to the manufacturer's directions, usually 15 to 30 minutes. Most tint units require a temperature of at least 200 degrees F. While the machine is heating, remove your lenses from your frame and place them in the lens holder, the tool that keeps your lens in place in the dye unit.

• 3

  Lower your lenses into the color you have selected in the dye tank and let them sit in the dye for a few minutes, depending on how much darker you want to tint the lenses. Some lenses absorb dye quicker than others, so this step is trial-and-error. Remove the lenses after a minute or two to see how much, if any, the tint is darkening. Let the dye drip off the lenses and, if necessary, take the lenses out of the holder and rinse with water to check the darkness.

• 4

  Return the lenses to the dye if they are not dark enough and repeat the process until you have achieved the desired color and darkness.