How to Straighten Metal Eyeglasses

By: Melissa King

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When you rely on your eyeglasses to see clearly, bending or breaking them feels like a total disaster. You don't need to pay for a new pair, though. Most glasses frames are made of either metal or thick plastic. If yours are metal, then you're in luck. With a bit of heat, metal becomes very pliable, so it's a cinch to bend frames back into their original shape.

Step 1

Fill a bowl with hot water that's comfortable enough to touch.

Step 2

Soak your glasses in the hot water for about two minutes. This softens the metal slightly, making it easier to bend. Remove the glasses from the bowl and shake off any excess water.

Step 3

Wrap a thin cloth around the bent part of the frame. This protects the frame from scratches.

Step 4

Hold the glasses in one hand and a pair of plastic-tipped pliers in the other hand.

Step 5

Grasp the bent part of the frame between the tips of the pliers. Gently bend the frame in the desired direction. If the metal won't bend, don't force it -- this can cause the frame to snap. Soak the glasses in hot water for a few more minutes, then try again.

Step 6

Lift the cloth and check the frame. If it's still not fixed, recover the frame with the cloth and bend it a bit more until it's as straight as you'd like.