Specsavers glasses damaged by hairspray

jagu

My daughter recently bought some new glasses and noticed after a while some speckling on the lenses, which have anti-reflection coating. She took them back to Specsavers who asked if she had been using hairspray. It seems that hairspray removes the coating and there is nothing that can be done.

I have never heard of this and Specsavers didn't warn her not to use hairspray while wearing the glasses. Does she have any case for getting them replaced?

Julian

shaun_from_Africa

jagu wrote: »

I have never heard of this and Specsavers didn't warn her not to use hairspray while wearing the glasses. Does she have any case for getting them replaced?

There is no way that Specsavers could warn customers about every possible substance and action that could damage glasses.
Hairspray contains an awful lot of solvent (which is why it is normally extremely flammable) and solvent by its very nature is a substance that dissolves other substances such as the very thin coating on glasses.


Your daughter could possibly get the anti-reflective coating replaced but this would probably be at her own cost as Specsavers have done nothing wrong.

tomtontom

I have the same problem with my Specsavers glasses and have not used hairspray near them. It's quite possible they're fobbing her off.

bod1467

How recent is "recently bought"?

jagu

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

There is no way that Specsavers could warn customers about every possible substance and action that could damage glasses.

True, but it is hardly unusual for a young woman to use hair spray while wearing glasses, surely. Do other women just know not to do this? Also, hairspray is obviously innocuous enough to spray onto hair, so is it unreasonable to assume it wouldn't damage any other things?

ethansmum

We get our 3 kids specs from Boots, and have always been told not to wash them in fairy liquid or any other soapy substance. This will result in the coatings being washed off, so I can see why any sort of hair product could damage them. I certainly take mine off when doing my hair and I'm as blind as a bat but my specs were expensive so I won't risk damaging them.

shaun_from_Africa

jagu wrote: »

True, but it is hardly unusual for a young woman to use hair spray while wearing glasses, surely. Do other women just know not to do this? Also, hairspray is obviously innocuous enough to spray onto hair, so is it unreasonable to assume it wouldn't damage any other things?

If you look at the tin of hairspray, I will almost guarantee that amongst the various warnings shown, one will be to ensure that spray is kept away from the face and eyes (hence it will be kept away from glasses).
Hairspray may be innocuous on hair but just put a small dabble on a varnished surface to see exactly what the solvent is capable of if it gets on something other than what it's intended for.

LilElvis

jagu wrote: »

True, but it is hardly unusual for a young woman to use hair spray while wearing glasses, surely. Do other women just know not to do this? Also, hairspray is obviously innocuous enough to spray onto hair, so is it unreasonable to assume it wouldn't damage any other things?

After googling it I used hairspray to remove the blue biro my daughter scribbled all over my cream, leather dining chairs. It literally dissolved the ink which washing hadn't even lightened. If it can remove ink hairspray can certainly remove a thin protective film on glasses.

Ditto perfume.

bod1467

Hairspray removes perfume? :eek:

Hermia

jagu wrote: »

True, but it is hardly unusual for a young woman to use hair spray while wearing glasses, surely. Do other women just know not to do this? Also, hairspray is obviously innocuous enough to spray onto hair, so is it unreasonable to assume it wouldn't damage any other things?

For years I have known that hairspray should be kept away from glasses, but I have no idea who originally told me. I think it is common sense that you would keep a strong chemical away from glasses which, face it, are pretty fragile. Did your daughter specifically ask whether they could be recoated or not? If not, it may be worth asking.

BlueEyedGirl

I have poor eyesight, but always take my glasses off when using hairspray!