repairing scratched cd?

Mr. Stick

Thinker
Mr. Stick
Joined
Feb 21, 2006
Messages
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Does anybody know how to repair a scratched CD? I'm trying to install a game, but the installation fails. I'm quite confident that it's because of scratches in the CD, and I've already tried cleaning it, which made the installation go faster, but still eventually fail. I've heard that toothpaste might do the job, but I would really like to hear if anybody has had any experience with this or other methods. (Not pyramids or crystals, please) :)
 
Toothpaste really shouldn't do anything (sounds a little woo to me).

However, you can resurface it. Basically, it involves grinding down the CD to the level of the scratch. This works because the data is basically stored deep inside the disk, right under the label in fact. There are a number of places where I live that have resurfacing machines, but they are all small local places, so I'm afraid I couldn't recommend anything. Essentially, you'll need to look around to find a resurfacing place. I will say this. Prices for resurfacing can vary wildly. I wouldn't pay more than $3.
 
Try washing with dishwashing liquid and warm water. Just worked for me with a Slax boot disc. It can't hurt to try. Make sure it's dry ,obviously.
 
There are products on the market that supposedly repair scratches on the CD surface. Actually, they fill the scratches in with material of the same density and refractive index as the plastic used to make the substrate (a fairly pure polycarbonate?). Usually this is in the form of a liquid - plastic in solvent, I expect. While it won't eliminate scratches, they say it does make accurate data reads more likely.

Saw one product in a CD store recently that involved a cream and a polishing cloth. I've seen ones involving a few drops of a clear liquid, with similar application method. No idea of the effectiveness of this type of product though - could be a complete con!

Google-search!
 
Dark Jaguar said:
Toothpaste really shouldn't do anything (sounds a little woo to me).
Click to expand...

Toothpaste would work, it contains very fine Aluminum Oxide as an abrasive. That said a proper home kit is a much better option. I have something similar to this and it works a treat :)


ETA: Zep, the scratch repair kits will remove light scratches on the disc by grinding off a thin layer, leaving the bottom surface 'cloudy'.
The cloth, cream and polish kits do work but require a light touch and a bit of practice.

Some more info here, articles labelled "sratch mix"
 
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Cool looking product, Mongrel! I've got some old software CDs I'd love to revive that have been in the wars - trodden on, stacked uncovered, left in people's draws with the dirt, etc. Maybe that would be successful...
 
My experience. The places where you can post your CD to work brilliantly. The home kits are terrible.
 
I think it depends on how badly scratched the CDs are. I have got one of those devices and have used it successfully many times on small scratches that cause read errors, we even used to use one in the Game store for the lightly damaged pre-owned stuff and never had complaints. I think it's a matter of expectation of how much can be achieved with a device at home
 
Does this work for CD/DVDs that you have burnt yourself as well or only factory made ones?
 
Do I take it that Brasso has fallen out of favour with the CD-Descratching crowd? I've never tried it myself but it always used to be recommended in threads like this.
 
Thanks for the advice, everyone. Since all the stores are closed (due to something with a guy called Jesus, I think) I tried the toothpaste trick, which a googling showed had worked for some. Unfortunately it didn't for me. :(
The CD belongs to my local library, so I guess I just have to hand it back and tell them it's no good. Perhaps they'll invest in one of the polishing machines.
 
Have you tried copying the contents of the CD to your hard drive and then running the installation from there?
 
Just remember, when polishing a CD, don't wipe in a circular motion. Wipe only perpendicular to the tracks, i.e. from center to edge.

Some more suggestions here.

A cool but small (so far) site with all kinds of time-killing or useful projects.
 
After reading this thread I'll try normal sandpaper on a couple of CDs I've long proclaimed dead.
 
Scratches on the data side are not always the problem. If the thin reflective coating is damaged it can not be repaired.
 
My testimonial:

A few years ago, we tested one of those home polishers (one with the hand crank). We took a product cd, put it on the floor, stood on it, then “skated” around the room on it. After a good polishing it still worked!

LLH
 
Well, if there's one thing I learned, it's not to use a brand new X-Acto knife to open the envelope the CD came in.

I've had some good success with auto plastic polish on DVD's that I've had problems with.
 
Just to add, they also make a battery operated version fo the Disk Doctor that Mongrel posted. MUCH easier, as you get a more consistent abrasion than hand cranking, with better results.

It won't repair all scratches, but it has made the difference between coaster and still-usable CD for many of mine. It also works wonders on music CDs, going from skip every five seconds to maybe one or two skips on the whole CD (so instead of useless you get 8 out of 10 songs). Of course, smaller amounts of damage can be repaired completely.
 
And of course, it must be said that if the scratch is deep enough that it actually hits the area with the pits, the data is actually destroyed and can't be retrieved. So, if you have a scratch on the label side, it's very likely the data is gone.

I just realized I actually have a home polisher kit. I have no idea how long this has been here or even when I got it, but hey, I'll give it a try soon enough.
 
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