In this article, I will talk about gluing broken eyeglass frames.
I’ll give you a rundown of the best glues for plastic frames and tips for fixing broken eyeglass bridges and arms.
As always, we’ll keep it short and simple.
Plastic glasses frames can be difficult to fix, especially if you want an impeccable finish.
The frames are too rigid to glue back in place with regular glue.
You’ll need strong yet thin and transparent glue for seamless results.
Recommendation – Gorilla Micro Precise Super Glue is a great fit for any eyeglass fixing job. This glue is the best combo of super strong hold and fast-drying action. The small dispenser makes for micro-precise application, suitable for narrow eyeglass bridges. This glue dries clear, which is perfect if you’re using dark-colored frames.
Keep reading to discover more glue options and eyeglass fixing tips!
Best 4 Glues for Plastic Eyeglass Frames
Here are my recommendations for the best glue for plastic eyeglass frames.
1. Gorilla Micro Precise Super Glue
Pros
- Great for any type of plastic glasses
- Compatible with nose pads
- Works with eyeglasses other than those of plastic
- Perfect to repair any broken glass and plastic lens
Cons
- Comes in a small bottle
Gorilla glue is already popular, thanks to the brand’s wide array of glue products and impeccable quality.
It’s no secret that Gorilla glue products do their job well. The same remains true for the Gorilla Micro Precise Super Glue as well.
Some might say this glue is a little too good, as the warning on the package reads: “Bonds skin instantly.”
Luckily, the Micro Precise Glue has a small dispenser for precise application. Thanks to this, you won’t have to eliminate any excess product.
But this instant-drying glue is a top pick for other reasons too. Because of its extremely strong hold and precise application, a little bit of product goes a long way.
On top of all, the clear-drying effect also makes this glue highly versatile.
You can use it for various materials, including stone, metal, rubber, paper, ceramic, wood, fabric, plastic, leather, and more.
Gorilla Micro Precise Super Glue is also one of the best glues for rubber around.
The result is always the same. The object looks as good as new.
In my opinion, this product is the best glue for plastic eyeglass frames.
2. UV Light Glue Kit Clear Adhesive Liquid Plastic Welder
Pros
- Works with any eyeglass frame
- Works also on polarized sunglasses
- Recommended for glasses repair
- Non-toxic
Cons
- Bad smell – dissipates after a few hours
If you’d like an equally strong and versatile glue but want more leeway when it comes to drying time, the UV Light Glue Kit is a great choice.
This brand boasts of having put forward the strongest adhesive on the market, but the pros of this glue don’t stop at just its incredible hold.
This glue is non-toxic, albeit it has a potent odor when first applied. The product is UV cured, which means it dries almost instantly when exposed to UV light.
This makes it a good UV glue option.
It won’t be fully dry unless under direct light exposure, which is a big bonus. You won’t make a sticky mess everywhere.
You can safely remove any excess glue without sticking your fingers together.
After perfectly fitting the frames and wiping away any excess glue, you can safely begin the drying process.
This UV-curing technology works similarly to composite dental fillings. This means that you can build up the glue layers incrementally.
You can even form bases and fillings for cracks and other small missing pieces.
3. Starbond EM-02 Super Fast Thin, Premium Instant Super Glue
Pros
- Perfect for any eyeglass frame
- Works with glasses with metal frame
- Fixes any broken frame
- Includes a precision control tip
Cons
- Short working time
Starbond is another great choice for fixing plastic frames.
This high-performance, industrial-grade product brings an innovative spin. This glue is supposed to have the viscosity of water, which means it can bind any deep crack through capillary action.
This thin glue also comes with multiple attachable tips to prevent the depth and flow of the product.
Starbond glue gives you all the tools necessary to reach the smallest cracks and the deepest spaces. This means you’ll have great control over the binding process.
Despite its thin consistency, this glue dries quickly, resulting in a very short waiting time.
Once dried, the glue forms a permanent bond with a powerful hold.
This product also comes with a spare cap and a stopper top to prevent the glue from drying out in the recipient.
4. CreativeBond Super Strong Bonding Tool
Pros
- Dries very clear
- Includes pen applicator
- Works with any plastic glass frame
Cons
- Pen can dry out quickly
Another clean, no-fuss glue comes from CreativeBond. If you prefer UV-cured adhesives, this might be a great choice.
Unlike other glues with wide tubes or brushes, the CreativeBond glue comes with a pen-like applicator.
This best-of-both-worlds system combines UV-light controlled drying with a precise application to make for a great cost-effective, mess-free product.
Like other UV-cured adhesives on the market, this glue can be used to build layers and bases and fill in gaps and cracks.
The glue dries clear; you can shape, sand, and paint it for a more discrete finish.
The brand also claims its glue is up to 10 times stronger than other UV-cured adhesives on the market, so you can bet this product has an incredible hold and long-lasting results.
This glue can also be used to glue broken plastic toys.
Glue Buying Guide for Plastic Frames
For many people, glasses aren’t a simple accessory but a necessity. When your glasses are broken, you don’t exactly have the luxury of waiting around for a replacement, especially if your daily activities require good eyesight.
It makes sense then to look for a quick fix until you can replace your glasses.
Glue is an obvious and easy solution, but not all types of glue will work equally well.
Certain glues might do more harm than good, depending on the frame material.
To fix broken plastic frames, you’ll need a strong and long-lasting glue that won’t damage your glasses.
Not every glue you find will be a good choice. Plastic frames are stiff and easy to break. Using harsh, strong glue meant for metal surfaces will create too much tension, causing even more damage.
Thus, you’ll need glue that’s formulated for plastic surfaces.
This glue should be strong-bonding but with a gentle formula that won’t melt the plastic.
Because frames are thin and delicate, you’ll want glue with an easy and light application, preferably with a clean, seamless finish.
The glue that can be sanded to remove excess residue is best. You won’t be left with any awkward bumps along the frame edges.
Luckily, there are plenty of options to meet all these requirements. Remember to look for light, strong-bond, clear glue specially formulated for plastic surfaces.
A strong-binding plastic glue can also work great for metal frames, so you won’t have to buy two different types of glue if your glasses also include metal parts.
How To Glue Broken Plastic Frames
Half of the job is done once you find the right glue for your glasses. But the procedure will be a little different depending on the damaged part.
Both the arm and bridge are tricky to fix, although for different reasons.
Gluing Broken Glasses Bridge
You might have to remove the lens to fix a broken bridge. This is the trickiest part, as removing and reintroducing the lenses takes some trial and error.
Gluing the bridge is actually the easiest part of this entire equation.
You have to apply a thin layer of glue along the broken sides. Press the parts together until they are perfectly connected.
Keep the sides together and give the glue some time to work its magic. Once the glue is completely dry, you’re all done!
Gluing Broken Glasses Arm
Gluing a broken glasses arm doesn’t take any longer than gluing a bridge. But you’ll need to be precise when applying the glue.
While the bridge is always stiff and rarely subject to pressure, glasses and arms differ. They’re supposed to be slightly bendy.
That’s because you constantly pull and fold these arms when putting on or storing your glasses.
So, make sure you use gentle glue and only apply it to the broken part. Don’t let any glue pour over the sides.
Just a little bit of strong-hold glue will do the job.
After applying a thin layer across the broken site, press the parts together and wait for the glue to dry.
Once done, your glasses should be ready to wear.
Wrap Up
Replacing broken glasses frames takes time. While it’s best to get your glasses fixed professionally, there are some short-term quick fixes you can use in the meantime.
There are plenty of great glue options for fixing plastic frames.
Fixing your glasses at home is as simple as choosing the correct glue.
Whether you prefer traditional self-adhesive glue or a more versatile UV-cured glue, there are high-quality, high-performance products for you to choose from.
Always make sure to read label specifications and only choose material-compatible products.
Following these simple tips, you should find the best glue to do the job!