Acetate Glasses: Material, Benefits and Caring Tips

What Makes Acetate a Popular Material for Eyewear Frames?

Acetate is a popular material for eyewear as it is generally a strong, flexible and hypoallergenic material. Acetate can be a stronger material for a glasses frame when compared to thin metal frames. Acetate is resistant to warping, ensuring high quality and longevity. Its lightweightedness and hypoallergenic nature ultimately makes it a pair of glasses suitable for many faces.

Why Choose Acetate Glasses Over Metal Frames?

There are advantages and disadvantages to acetate and metal frames, meaning the reason for choosing acetate as your glasses material is a purely personal choice. Acetate glasses have many benefits including being hypoallergenic and strong. Acetate glasses can also have brighter, more lasting colours as the dye is added directly to the material. Metal frames also have advantages including being more lightweight than acetate frames and can also be durable. However, they may feel less comfortable than acetate glasses. They are more prone to bending or warping over time, potentially leading to irritation and it can be insensitive to certain skin types. Acetate glasses are ultimately better for a more comfortable fit that can accommodate more skin types.

How are Acetate Glasses Made?

The process of making an acetate glasses frame can differ depending on the manufacturer, but will generally involve adding dye to cellulose acetate, rolling this material into a sheet, cutting the frame shapes from them, polishing and construction. The way that acetate glasses are made at Oscar Wylee is listed below.

1. Add dye to cellulose acetate: Adding dye to cellulose acetate is the first step in making our glasses at Oscar Wylee. This cellulose acetate is then rolled into a sheet.
2. Cut frame shape: Cutting the frame shape is the next step in the creation of acetate glasses. The shape of the glasses is cut from the sheet of acetate by a machine called a CNC milling machine. This machine sculpts the cutting of the lens holes, the grooves for the hinges, and the nose bridge to make the front of the frame. To create the patterned or multi-coloured frames, small acetate pieces are cut from the individually coloured sheets. This means each patterned frame will be unique.
3. Polish frames: Polishing is the next step in making acetate frames. First, an aggressive buffing wheel is used to smooth out the connection that was filled and remove any filling marks or gouges. Then, a gentler wheel is then used to smooth out the acetate. The frames are polished for around 48 to 76 hours in the tumbling barrels. These tumblers are filled with small chips of beech and birch wood. This generates a slight abrasion eliminating imperfections, thus making the surface of the frames smooth.
4. Construction: Construction is the final step in making acetate frames. Rivets and hinges are added, the temples are individually hand screwed to the front of the frame, and core wires are inserted into each temple so they don’t lose their shape. Once the frame is ready, the lenses are cut one by one to fit each frame perfectly.

Can Acetate Frames Be Combined with Gold Metals?

Acecate frames can be combined with small gold metal fixtures. These are often found in the nose bridge or temples for added foundational support and flair. The gold metal accents provide added durability in the areas that need it, the bridge and frame temples needing strong support. Aesthetically, gold frame glasses are glamorous choices that complement many other colour schemes seamlessly. Having gold accents on your acetate frame will add a pop of luxe edge.

How to Care for Acetate Frames?

The way to care for acetate frames includes using two hands when handling the frames, keeping them clean, and placing them in a case when you aren’t using them. The ways to care for acetate frames are listed below.

• Use two hands when handling frames:Using two hands when handling frames is an important way to care for them. Taking off your glasses or holding them by one arm can lead to them becoming misaligned or warped
• Keep clean: Keeping your acetate frames clean is an important part of caring for them. To keep your acetate frames clean, you can pat them down with water and a mild soap. It is important to dry the frames thoroughly immediately after cleaning. To keep the lens clean, use a lens cleaner and microfibre clothes.
• Place in case when not using: Placing your acetate frames in their case when you are not using them is a good way to take care of them. If glasses are not stored properly when not in use, it can increase the chances of them being broken. They may be dropped if hanging from clothes or sat on.