A while back I discovered, by accident that several average, low level Nikkor lenses have what seems to be the front element glued in & a paper ring that surrounds the glass. My beater, 24-85 arrived with a wrinkled ring that only needed tamping down.
I received a replacement 18-70DX, (That is stellar w/24mp) and I now know why it was referred to as "UGLY," condition. Yes, it was cheap and the glass is pretty much flawless.
Is it best to just use a tweezers & pen knife blade to remove what cannot be repaired & do "Arts & Crafts," with black paper to make it look presentable again? (I need one of those old metal compass's I used as a kid with a #1 exacto blade.)
What kind of glue does one use?
I hope the discovery of this does not bother you as much as it did, me. Yikes.....Paper Lens Trim?