Tinting AR Lenses

**sdgibbs** · 03-04-2016, 01:12 PM

I've always been told tinting AR lenses doesn't work so I've listened. Out of curiosity for those of you that have tried, what happens? Does it not get as dark? Does it come out uneven?

Would it be possible to tint an AR lens if it only has AR on one side?

Thanks!

**Tallboy** · 03-04-2016, 01:18 PM

The tint will only be absorbed by the edges of the lens, I believe that some part of the AR coat (not sure which one) stops tint from entering the lens.

However you can definitely tint lenses BEFORE AR coating, though this only works with ARs that have a tintable hardcoat underneath them (ie: not Crizal TD2 is not tintable).

I have a few people who get rose or violet tinted lenses with AR from me every year. I always thing they look awesome, but it takes a certain look/frame to pull off.

**sdgibbs** · 03-04-2016, 01:33 PM

Do you think you could tint it if there was only AR on one side? or do you think the 200 degree temperature bath would immediately damage the AR coat?

**Tallboy** · 03-04-2016, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by sdgibbs

Do you think you could tint it if there was only AR on one side? or do you think the 200 degree temperature bath would immediately damage the AR coat?

I don't know the exact temperature of my tint pots but if I turn them low'n'slow (how I like my ribs cooked) I can tint the edges of AR lenses easily without damaging the top coat. I have done this a number of times to CR39/Trivex lenses with great results, looks beautiful. (I learned the technique by reading something by Barry Santini, a poster here)

**Robert_S** · 03-04-2016, 03:47 PM

I think you have answered your own question...

**LENNY** · 03-05-2016, 07:58 PM

Davis refuses to apply tint and AR together... :)

**newguyaroundhere** · 03-07-2016, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by LENNY

Davis refuses to apply tint and AR together... :)

One of a few things they do not do in their labs

**Chris Ryser** · 03-07-2016, 02:38 PM

A simple answer is, that the AR layer is made with SIO2 (which is glass), has a different expansion coefficient under heat than the different plastic materials. So inserting an AR coated lens into hot dye can start delamination.

In the 1960s in Europe you could get glass lenses vacuum coated with metal oxides, which made a uniform colored sunglass coating in many different colors, instead of having them in colored glass. Nobody has come up with anything similar on plastic lenses.

**mervinek** · 03-07-2016, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by LENNY

Davis refuses to apply tint and AR together... :)

Well...Davis does stink...

**ml43** · 03-08-2016, 03:11 AM

Originally Posted by Chris Ryser

In the 1960s in Europe you could get glass lenses vacuum coated with metal oxides, which made a uniform colored sunglass coating in many different colors, instead of having them in colored glass. Nobody has come up with anything similar on plastic lenses.

Metal oxides are regularly used in multilayer AR coatings.

**Lab Insight** · 03-08-2016, 06:24 AM

Originally Posted by Chris Ryser

A simple answer is, that the AR layer is made with SIO2 (which is glass), has a different expansion coefficient under heat than the different plastic materials. So inserting an AR coated lens into hot dye can start delamination.

In the 1960s in Europe you could get glass lenses vacuum coated with metal oxides, which made a uniform colored sunglass coating in many different colors, instead of having them in colored glass. Nobody has come up with anything similar on plastic lenses.

Great information Chris. Hence why companies develop technology in the proper forward thinking process, not in reverse. It makes absolutely no sense why people want to go against the grain and then wonder it doesn't work.

A mechanic certainly wouldn't do a brake job by installing the tire first and pads last. Stick to the process people!