You would be shocked to learn that scratching the camera lens on your phone can be difficult. Most Smartphones have a scratch-proof lens cover to protect them against damage.
Though scratching the lens is difficult. But it is not impossible. So, it is best if you take precautions to fix your scratched camera lens.
Consider how many times you’ve dropped your phone or shoved it into your pocket or purse alongside your keys or other sharp items. There is no worry. Every problem has a solution. After reading this article you will know how to fix your scratched camera lens.
Is It Scratches or Just Dust?
It can be difficult to tell if your phone camera lens has been scratched or if it has just been smudged.
Cleaning the lens is the first step toward detecting scratches. If your camera lens is not clean, this article is for you: how to clean the camera lens.
But let’s discuss the cleaning process in short here.
Begin by removing as much dust and debris as possible without causing further damage. An air duster is a perfect tool for this.
After you’ve cleaned the majority of the dust with the air duster, you can use a cleaning pen or a microfiber cloth to remove the remaining dust.
If the lens seems to be especially dirty, you can try cleaning it with a lens cleaner. But be careful not to bring any liquid into your smartphone’s more sensitive areas.
If you’ve washed your lens and it’s clear that it’s scratched rather than just dirty. And You’ll need to figure out what to do next.
Does the scratched camera lens matter?
Surprisingly, most scratches have little or no effect on image quality. The reason for this is that the sensors on your phone’s camera are close enough to the glass to avoid catching scratches.
However, image quality may suffer depending on how deep the scratch is, how it occurred, and where it is located.
One of the things is, they make the image a little bit blurry based on the type and size of the scratch.
If you’ve recently dropped or scratched your phone camera lens, take a few photos in a well-lit area to check for obvious damage.
Can a scratched camera lens be repaired?
It is possible to repair a scratched camera lens and it could be very expensive. When you’re used to shooting wider apertures, small and minor scratches won’t bother you at all.
But if the scratch is too big to the point of cracking the lens it will need to be changed rather than repaired.
How To Fix Scratched Camera Lens
We are going to tell you some procedures that can help you to remove scratches from the camera lens.
Procedure 1: Using Rubbing Alcohol
Any pharmacy should have a supply of clinical-grade rubbing alcohol on hand. Use rubbing alcohol to dampen (not wet) a piece of microfiber cloth and try to erase the scratch mark with it.
Since rubbing alcohol is abrasive, avoid rubbing it directly on your camera lens. So Mix it with some water to dilute it first. Using a microfiber cloth, dip it into the now-diluted alcohol.
In gentle circles, rub the cloth around your camera lens. After a few repetitions of this, the scratches should start to fade.
I’m aware that alcohol can “micro melt” plastics and restore minor scratches. However, I doubt that rubbing alcohol can help to fix the scratched camera lens. Because it is particularly effective at sanitizing and destroying certain germs. Furthermore, alcohol has a bad reputation for causing lens coating damage. You will use this method at your own risk.
Procedure 2: Using Vaseline
An old-school approach for repairing scratched laptop screens is to use Vaseline or other petroleum-based substances.
Vaseline, I must admit, works wonders on plastic surfaces, and I’ve used it to repair countless monitors.
Apply a tiny amount of Vaseline to the scratched-up areas of your camera with your finger. Using a clean microfiber pad, gently wipe away the Vaseline.
If you press too hard, the Vaseline can get trapped in the scratches rather than removing them.
Procedure 3: Using Toothpaste
Toothpaste is slightly abrasive and is one of the most common “homemade DIY methods” for removing scratches from glasses, smartphones, and watches. I’ve done this with my eyeglasses before. And it’s worked out very well.
To get rid of scratches, the most popular way is to use toothpaste. It’s a paste, not a gel, that we’re talking about. Squeeze a small amount of toothpaste onto the scratch and gently massage it in with a q-tip.
It will take approximately five minutes to complete. When the timer goes off, dampen a clean microfiber cloth and wipe away the toothpaste residue with it. If the scratches are particularly deep, you may need to repeat the procedure.
I’m not sure how well this will work on camera lenses. But I guess that it will remove scratches at the expense of a layer of lens coating.
Procedure 4: Buy A Scratch Repair Kit
If you don’t want to do it yourself, there are camera lens scratch repair kits available on the market. Apply a tiny quantity of the cream to the scratched lens and massage it for four minutes or so with a smooth microfiber pad. If the scratches are serious, you can need to repeat the procedure more than once.
Procedure 5: Using Pencil Eraser
This approach necessitates the purchase of a fresh pencil eraser.
In one direction, rub the eraser over the itch. It must not be moved back and forth. The scratch could disappear after a few minutes.
How much does it cost to fix a scratched lens?
Sometimes the scratch on the lens cannot be repaired by a DIY method we’ve discussed. You’ll need to take the lens to the service center. Depending on the extent of damage the lens can be repaired.
However, fixing a scratched lens is very expensive and sometimes it is better to buy a new one rather than fixing an old lens. Still, if you need to repair it then for a $500 lens the repair cost will fall around $80-$100.
A Nikon lens can be repaired and it will cost you at least $300 and as for Canon lenses they charge higher and it could go up to $600.
How to fix a scratched camera lens on a phone
You’d be surprised to know that it is quite hard to scratch a phone camera lens. The reason is, they have scratch-resistant glass on top of it. Still, there might come times when they also get scratched.
The DIY procedures for fixing scratched camera lenses are the same as we’ve discussed earlier. You can use all the things available at home like toothpaste, rubbing alcohol, Vaseline, etc. to remove the scratches from the phone’s lens.
How To Avoid Scratches In The Future
It is true what they say, “prevention is better than cure”. You can be careful not to scratch the camera lens which will save you a lot of bucks in the long run. If the lens gets scratched badly, you’ll have to spend a lot to fix that. So, better be careful than sorry.
Get Camera Lens Protector
You may also consider purchasing a camera lens protector. It works similarly to a screen protector and protects your sensitive back camera from damage.
They are available in a variety of shades, so you can adapt them to the hue of your phone or choose a transparent one.
Put The Phone In A Case
Put a case on your phone as soon as you take it out of the box it came in. Even if it’s just a cheap, temporary solution. It’s certainly preferable to doing nothing at all.
If you drop your phone, protecting it will prevent it from cracking. When you place your phone on a table, it is also elevated. This will prevent your camera from being scratched. If it comes into direct contact with a hard surface.
Avoid Hard Surface
Don’t put your phone on a hard surface with the camera side down unless it’s in a case.
Carry a cloth in your wallet or pocket if you don’t like protective cases because they make your phone bulky. If you need to take your phone out and put it on a table, use the cloth to keep the camera from touching the hard surface.
Use Phone Pouches
Don’t put your phone in your purse, just like you wouldn’t put it in your pocket with a bunch of other things. All of your belongings will scratch your camera lens as they rub against it.
The good news is that most purses and backpacks come with phone pouches. Instead of letting your phone roam freely, make use of them.
Conclusion
The best thing you can do for your phone’s camera lens is to avoid scratching it in the first place. You will never have to worry about the cost of replacing your lens. If you can keep it from getting scratched.
Keeping your camera lens clean is one of the most effective ways to keep it in good shape. Cleaning your lens to remove dust and debris regularly will help prevent scratches.
Although many people just use their shirts to wipe their camera lens clean, they can scratch the camera lens themselves. Investing in a microfiber cloth is a better option since they are cheap. These products help you to gently remove dirt and dirt without scratching the lens accidentally.
