repairing scratched CDs (???)

Norm Apter

I heard or read (probably) somewhere that some folks use/have used auto wax to repair surface scratches on CDs. I'm wondering if anybody here has tried this method and what the results were like.

I don't even have any car wax on hand, but would be willing to pick up some to try to repair some CDs that skip if others have had luck with it.

On the other hand, if there are any other kind of solvents etc that you've tried and seem to work for renewing CDs, please let me know.

Norm

WilliamM2

I've used Meguiars plastic polish. Mine's old, at that time it was called "No.10". I'm sure they still sell something similar. Works great, as long as the scratches aren't too deep.

I have great method of preventing scratches as well. I no longer loan out any of my CD's. Amazing results with that technique.

janmike

I like the do not lend policy. Works for me.

comfortablycurt

WilliamM2 wrote: »

I have great method of preventing scratches as well. I no longer loan out any of my CD's. Amazing results with that technique.

I use the same method anymore. I've lent out to many Cd's and had them come back scratched all to hell...so I no longer let people borrow Cd's. I have a huge stack of blank Cd-r's though, so if someone want's to borrow a Cd I usually just end up burning it for them.

I've never tried using any auto/plastic wax before. I've got a few Cd's (that got lent out) that are all scratched up...and wouldn't mind fixing. I might have to give that a try sometime. Thanks for the info.

unc2701

brasso on a q-tip. takes the scratches right out.

daboyz

comfortablycurt wrote: »

I use the same method anymore. I've lent out to many Cd's and had them come back scratched all to hell...so I no longer let people borrow Cd's. I have a huge stack of blank Cd-r's though, so if someone want's to borrow a Cd I usually just end up burning it for them.

I've never tried using any auto/plastic wax before. I've got a few Cd's (that got lent out) that are all scratched up...and wouldn't mind fixing. I might have to give that a try sometime. Thanks for the info.

Dude,you got a couple cd's I can borrow? Hell, just burn a couple and send them to me.:p:D

BeRad

If the scratches aren't too bad and you have a very picky player, toothpaste can work. I have removed the "circle scratch" caused by early xbox 360's using toothpaste when I didn't have any car polish on hand. Warning though: It does make the bottom surface look foggy and kind of ugly, but it will play.

One thing to check if it is not playing or skipping in a specific spot: Hold the cd up to a light with the label side facing the light. If you can see any "holes" of light shining through where it looks like the silver might be gone, that means you have damaged the laser plate and it is not repairable.

Edit:
For really really bad scratches I have had success by wet-sanding with various grit (stepping up), then cut polish, then swirl mark polish, then polishing glaze.

Norm Apter

Thanks for the replies. It looks like auto polish scratch remover, Meguiars plastic polish (it seems they still sell #10 on Amazon.com) and Brasso would all work well, with toothpaste as a last resort (I'd prefer not to make my CD surfaces cloudy in the process, if possible).

Keiko, William and Unc, could you guys let me know whether the liquids you guys applied and mentioned above respectively gave the CD/DVD surfaces a cloudy appearance?

I don't have any of these three on hand, so I'd like to pick one of the three to purchase.

comfortablycurt

daboyz wrote: »

Dude,you got a couple cd's I can borrow? Hell, just burn a couple and send them to me.:p:D

Sure...no problem. You're paying for the shipping though.

WilliamM2

The Meguiars will not cause any cloudiness.

thsmith

This stuff works great, called Safe Cut

http://www.waxdepot.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WD&Product_Code=WS3&Category_Code=CB

Ricardo

This also works great:

http://www.amazon.com/Novus-Polish-Plastic-Scratch-Remover/dp/B0000WUC7E/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=miscellaneous&qid=1231854461&sr=8-2

sucks2beme

BeRad wrote: »

If the scratches aren't too bad and you have a very picky player, toothpaste can work. I have removed the "circle scratch" caused by early xbox 360's using toothpaste when I didn't have any car polish on hand. Warning though: It does make the bottom surface look foggy and kind of ugly, but it will play.
QUOTE]

I hate to say it, but ALL Xbox 360's do it. Son works part time at Gamestop.
I find it hard to believe they still sell the things.

shack

I buy lots of used CDs, many which have scratches ranging from very minor to very big. The error correction on my CDPs must be very good because I have yet to find a CD bad enough that it would not play or have an audible "skip". Between error "correction" and error "concealment" features on most good CDPs today I think trying to "fix "a scatched CD is a waste of time. If you do so it is only for aesthetic purposes.

Ricardo

shack wrote: »

I buy lots of used CDs, many which have scratches ranging from very minor to very big. The error correction on my CDPs must be very good because I have yet to find a CD bad enough that it would not play or have an audible "skip". Between error "correction" and error "concealment" features on most good CDPs today I think trying to "fix "a scatched CD is a waste of time. If you do so it is only for aesthetic purposes.

True for CD's; Not so for Xbox games. I've also had to "repair" DVD's that did not want to play in my Toshiba HD player; it might be that its correction and concealment is not that good.

Motzart

Ricardo wrote: »

This also works great:

http://www.amazon.com/Novus-Polish-Plastic-Scratch-Remover/dp/B0000WUC7E/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=miscellaneous&qid=1231854461&sr=8-2

Novus products are great!
I was using it on my Pro Built 1:24 Model Car a few years ago.
Polished out the clear plastic nicely with a lil effort.
Paint jobs it made em shine like glass.
It's also worked nice on Plexiglass.

So I have had good experience with this stuff and it's not expensive!

I'll hafta see what it does for CD's!!

Ricardo

Motzart wrote: »

Novus products are great!
I was using it on my Pro Built 1:24 Model Car a few years ago.
Polished out the clear plastic nicely with a lil effort.
Paint jobs it made em shine like glass.
It's also worked nice on Plexiglass.

So I have had good experience with this stuff and it's not expensive!

I'll hafta see what it does for CD's!!

I use it for my Clearaudio acrylic turntable. Works great.

(See? You don't get smashed with EVERY post....just the annoying ones )

ben62670

Ricardo wrote: »

This also works great:

http://www.amazon.com/Novus-Polish-Plastic-Scratch-Remover/dp/B0000WUC7E/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=miscellaneous&qid=1231854461&sr=8-2

Thanks for the linky. Added to my wish list:)

John30_30

BeRad wrote: »

If the scratches aren't too bad and you have a very picky player, toothpaste can work. I have removed the "circle scratch" caused by early xbox 360's using toothpaste when I didn't have any car polish on hand. Warning though: It does make the bottom surface look foggy and kind of ugly, but it will play.

One thing to check if it is not playing or skipping in a specific spot: Hold the cd up to a light with the label side facing the light. If you can see any "holes" of light shining through where it looks like the silver might be gone, that means you have damaged the laser plate and it is not repairable.

Edit:
For really really bad scratches I have had success by wet-sanding with various grit (stepping up), then cut polish, then swirl mark polish, then polishing glaze.

Thumbs-up on this. That's the pro method.

Jstas

I got one of these:

http://www.madcatz.com/Default.asp?Page=135&CategoryImg=Universal_Accessories




Works like a champ! Took quite a few passes to get a really bad circle scratch out of Forza 2 but it got about 90% of the scratch out without unbalancing the disc or digging in too deep. It did make it a bit foggy but I think it was due to heat buildup. I was getting a tad impatient and not waiting long enough between buffing runs.

But as for the other DVD's and CD's, works great. Any time I have a problem with a disc, even a rental, a pass or two in that little jobby works wonders! Best part is, I don't even have to break a sweat!

Motzart

Ricardo wrote: »

I use it for my Clearaudio acrylic turntable. Works great.

(See? You don't get smashed with EVERY post....just the annoying ones )

I've seen some lot worse than any of mine....nothing ever said...least not extreme.

Hey man whatever......