If you don’t have a suitable set of pliers on hand, a plastic hand clamp or pair of forceps will also get the job done.
Make sure there are no wrinkles or folds in the cloth that could cause it to shift unexpectedly while you’re straightening the glasses. A thin piece of fabric like a bandana or handkerchief is ideal for this purpose.
Only squeeze the pliers firmly enough to hold the frames steady. Being too forceful may just cause even more damage. The slender pliers will create an anchor point around which you can make more precise adjustments.
Don’t yank, wrench, or bounce the frames. Doing so will most likely leave you with a broken pair of glasses. [5] X Research source You may need to adjust your glasses more than once in order to get them to fit properly.
Intense temperatures can melt plastic frames. If the water is too hot to touch, chances are it’s too hot for your glasses. You also have the option of holding the glasses directly under a stream of hot water or using a hair dryer if there are no suitable containers around. [7] X Research source
If you’re using a hair dryer, hold the nozzle about 6 inches (15 cm) away from the frames and wave it back and forth for 30-60 seconds. Handle the glasses carefully. They’ll be even more fragile than normal when warm.
Avoid placing unnecessary stress on the frames, especially around the arms and nosepiece. If you try to bend them too much, they could easily snap. If the frames start to cool off before you’re finished, give them another 20-30 seconds of hot water or air. You can repeat this process as many times as needed. [10] X Research source
Keep in mind that plastic frames can be harder to fine-tune than metal ones. If your glasses still don’t fit exactly how you want them to, it may be a good idea to take them back to the retailer to have them repaired professionally. [11] X Research source
Remember to shape your glasses a little by little, whether they’re made from plastic or metal. Getting impatient could end up costing you the price of a brand new pair of glasses. [13] X Research source Creating more of an inward curve can be especially useful for inexpensive plastic frames, which have a tendency to loosen up over time.
The nosepiece is the weakest point on any pair of glasses, so be careful not to put too much tension on the center of the frames. Once the eyepieces are straight, flex the frames inward or outward to find a fit that feels good.
Move slowly down the length of arms to the ends a few millimeters at a time, coaxing them into their new shape. Your glasses may move around a little more after you’ve straightened out the arms.
It may not be possible to reshape the arms of some metal frames, which often feature plastic-coated earpieces.
