An anti-reflective layer is a wonderful solution to the problem of reflections in your eyeglasses. It's a thin, translucent layer that you may apply to one or both sides of your glasses' lenses.
With this treatment, you'll enjoy the sharper vision and improved contrast because light won't bounce off the surface of your lens as much when it hits an object in front of you.
But how durable are these layers? Does anti-reflective coating scratch easier than regular coating? Read on for more information! We've compiled some research data which will answer this question for you.
Is anti-reflective coating scratch resistant?
The answer is yes.
A conventional AR coating is usually made up of 2 layers:
- Anti-reflective: reduces glare and minimizes screen reflections.
- Scratch-resistant: offers adequate protection against all types of physical damage.
So, in essence, the anti-reflexive layer can resist scratches.
The superior AR layer takes it to a high level. It has an additional scratch coat to repulse dirt, smudges, watermarks, streaks, and other such things.
The additional coat is named SR booster, and this protective layer significantly improves the resistance of superior AR coats to scratches from excessive wear. This higher scratch-resistant ability of superior AR coatings is greatly beneficial to children in particular.
However, the technology necessary to provide this non-glare performance and durability is generally more expensive.
Does anti-reflective coating scratch easier?
An anti-reflexive coat is different from a scratch-resistant one on glasses. Since certain earlier AR versions were thinner than the reflective material beneath them, they could more easily scrape against them and cause damage.
Luckily, newer and superior models nowadays are designed to tolerate scratches, especially scraping or chipping away at the surface. That means even if your lenses are exhibiting signs of wear due to continuous usage, you may still obtain exceptional quality visibility.
What makes these new versions better is that most manufacturers include scratch warranties with their glass. Once your eyewear scratches, the manufacturer will repair them in a quick time for you.
Still, you can avoid scratches by regular cleaning and caring for your lenses.
How do you get scratches out of anti-glare glasses?
The anti-glare coat is applied to the lens. Therefore, if it unfortunately scratches, there's no way to remove it. As a result, you will need to replace the lenses; or in other words, purchase a new pair of eyewear asap.
However, if you would not want to waste extra cash on fixing it, the coat may disappear by utilizing a stripping chemical. Here's how to remove an anti-reflective coating from your eyewear.
Remove an AR coating from plastic lenses.
Etching cream is the best approach to remove the anti-reflexive coating off glasses that have plastic lenses. The following is a list of what you will require:
- Etching cream
- Q-tips (cotton buds)
- Safety glasses
- Microfibre cloth
- Rubber gloves
There are many etching creams to select from, so make sure to choose one that meets all of your requirements!
It's available in most department or craft stores and on Amazon. Nevertheless, when using this product, always wear protective glasses and gloves! Also, remember to follow the product label's recommendations for use.
Here is a step-by-step procedure for eliminating the anti-reflective layer on plastic lenses:
- Put a little amount of etching cream onto a cotton bud. Then, apply it carefully to all surfaces of your lens (both sides).
- If the etching cream is on the frame of your spectacles, brush it off using the clean surface of your cotton buds (to avoid damaging your glasses' frame).
- Allow it to sit for five mins.
- After that, scrub the lens's surface with other cotton buds (both sides).
- Finally, wash your glass thoroughly with water and soap.
If any AR coating remains, repeat the entire procedure.
Remove an AR coating from glass lenses.
Plastic lenses are standard in most contemporary eyewear. However, if you have an old set of glasses or choose the option of glass lenses for any reason, you can utilize this procedure.
To dissolve the anti-glare layer from your glass lenses, soften it first. The majority of people utilize isopropyl alcohol or isopropylamine (an amino acid). However, you may boost the efficiency of the solution by adding extra saltwater to it.
Because the coat is electrostatically produced on the surface of the lens, softening lenses with salt water is a tried and true method.
When submerged in saltwater, the electrostatic adhesion of the coat substance to glass is neutralized, making it simpler to scrape off surplus hydrophilic molecules from your lens.
IMPORTANT: Never use etching cream as it will damage your glass lenses once applied. It can cause an irreversible frosting of sorts, making both the frame and lens opaque white, making them unusable for vision correction purposes.
You will require the following items to remove:
- Isopropyl alcohol 99%
- Some plastic scraper
- Saltwater ( ratio: dissolve one tablespoon of salt in 3.5 oz of water)
- Bowl or plate
- Water
The following is a detailed procedure for removing the anti-reflective layer on glass lenses:
- First, you need to combine five parts isopropyl alcohol and 1 part seawater.
- Then, place your glasses on a dish or a bowl, then pour the prepared solution out with enough amount that can completely immerse the lenses.
- Allow it to soak for one hour in the mixture to soften the coating.
- Finally, remove the coating with the plastic scraper. After that, rinse everything off with water, and you're finished.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the anti-reflective layer on your eyewear is one of the essential features. But does anti-reflective coating scratch easier than other materials? We hope you have the answer by this time. While some may scratch easier than others, all will eventually show scratches over time.
If you have any concerns about this topic, leave us a comment, and we will get right to you.
