How to Remove Deep Scratches from Sunglasses?

A deep scratch right in your line of sight can ruin an otherwise perfect pair of sunglasses. The honest truth: truly deep scratches can’t be fully removed at home — but shallow scuffs and surface marks often can be minimized.

Here’s what each method can realistically do, so you don’t make things worse.

Ways you can remove deep scratches from your sunglasses at home

1. Use Toothpaste

One of the easiest and most popular solutions is to use toothpaste. Start by cleaning your sunglasses with mild soap and a soft cloth. Once they are clean, apply a small dab of toothpaste to the scratched area and rub it in with a soft cloth. Continue to rub until you see the scratch start to fade and then rinse the toothpaste off with warm water.

2. Use Glass Polishing Compound

If the toothpaste doesn’t do the trick, you can try using a glass polishing compound. This compound is designed to remove scratches from glass and can be found at most hardware stores. Apply a small amount of the compound to the scratched area and rub in a circular motion with a soft cloth. Continue to rub until the scratch fades and then rinse off with warm water.

3. Use Nail Polish

If the glass polishing compound doesn’t do the trick, you can try using nail polish. Start by cleaning your sunglasses with mild soap and a soft cloth. Once they are dry, apply a small amount of clear nail polish to the scratched area and rub it in with a soft cloth. Continue to rub until you see the scratch start to fade and then carefully remove the nail polish with a cotton swab.

4. Use a Car Wax

If all else fails, you can try using a car wax. Start by cleaning your sunglasses with mild soap and a soft cloth. Once they are dry, apply a small amount of car wax to the scratched area and rub it in with a soft cloth. Continue to rub until the scratch fades and then carefully remove the wax with a cotton swab.

How do you get deep scratches out of sunglasses?

It can be challenging to remove deep scratches from sunglasses, as the scratches may be too deep to be buffed out using standard cleaning and polishing methods. Here are a few options you can try to remove deep scratches from your sunglasses:

1. Use a plastic polish: Plastic polishes are specifically designed to remove scratches and other blemishes from plastic surfaces. These products contain abrasives that can help to smooth out the surface of the plastic, reducing the visibility of the scratches.
2. Use a metal polish: If your sunglasses have metal frames, you can try using a metal polish to remove the scratches. Metal polishes contain abrasives that can help to smooth out the surface of the metal, reducing the visibility of the scratches.
3. Use a scouring pad: If the scratches are not too deep, you may be able to remove them by gently rubbing a scouring pad over the surface of the scratches. Be sure to use a gentle touch, as too much pressure could damage the glasses further.
4. Replace the lenses: If the scratches are too deep or you are unable to remove them using the above methods, you may need to replace the lenses in your sunglasses. This can be done by a professional eyewear technician, or you may be able to purchase replacement lenses online.

Can you really get scratches out of sunglasses?

It is generally possible to remove or reduce the visibility of scratches on sunglasses, depending on the depth and severity of the scratches.

Try the methods above before spending on a replacement — for light scratches, they genuinely can restore your shades to good-as-new. Results depend on the scratch depth, so set expectations accordingly.

Important: skip toothpaste and baking soda on coated or polarized lenses. Abrasives strip the very coatings that make the lenses work. If a scratch is deep enough to catch your fingernail, replacement lenses are the realistic fix. Content reviewed and updated in October 2026.