Front shot of restored Oakley Flak Jacket
So i had this beaten to death Oakley Flak Jacket lying around. Took me awhile to muster the effort needed in possibly restoring the sporty sun-glass. As they say, necessity is the mother of all inventions. The cliche became apparent when i had my physicals done at work. For twenty odd years, i had a perfect 20/20 super-saiyan vision. No need for geiger counters when sizing up would-be opponents. Alas, father time had caught up and am now slightly blind.
From where am at, prescription glasses are cheap. But am about to buy a car and wifey is only a couple a months away from giving birth to Goten. So i had to keep my priorities straight.. Light bulb moment.. Drum roll.. What about that old beaten up Oaks just gathering dust.. Does it take prescription lenses.. Quick google.. It does.. So… hmm… Let me take it to the infamous Quiapo-Raon pseudo-optemetrists to find out… But this thing looks garbage, literally, bin-ready.. ???
So took the thing to work and had it checked by a couple of Oakley elitists co-workers. Whad’dya think Brah’? I’m planning to take it to a shop and have new lenses fitted and hopefully re-done… Not worth your time. Buy new ones. Get a penny, x-metal-wateva, Jordan-coded-special issue this and that… Oh crap… Just hate when people burst my bubbles… Not the type who takes no for answer.
Good thing I chanced upon Oakleyforum.com. What a wealth of information and wisdom. Especially the peeps from the DIY/Mod section, big shout out to the brave and bold Oak masters.
Parts and pieces after taking a bath
So i wish i had a ‘before’ picture to show how gruesome the thing was prior to the restoration. It was totally un-useable then. The quick restoration I did was pretty spartan and for better understanding, outlined below in succession:
1. Stared at it. While visualizing how i’d deconstruct and reconstruct.
2. Took the piece off one by one. Starting with lenses, then the arms of the frame, and all rubber accessories.
3. Peeled off the right-side Oak logo for a future re-paint. The other side was already missing.
4. Bathe the un-useable lenses in Denatured alcohol to peel off the protective layer. Which i believe is a first. So I take all credit for this innovation. lol
Black iridium lenses bathe in denatured alcohol.
5. Rinse said lenses in good ol’ soap and water. Let dry and be amazed.
Once the problem layer goes off. The original base color of the lens will shimmer just like NEW. Well mine had scratches but totally un-noticeable when worn and when looking from the inside.
6. Boil hot water. Put rest of the frame in a basin and pour boiling water. Let soak in a few seconds then start the arduous process of fingernailing.
7. Use micro fiber to dry every bits and pieces. Gather and re-construct.
8. Wear it with pride and go ahead and abuse it since it didn’t cost you a thing.
From the side. Blacked-out plain G. looks.
supersaiyanquest 