[OT?] Cleaning of scratched CD's

Hello.

[sorry for the cross posting]

Is there any *cheap* way to remove scratches from scratched CD's (both audio and
data disks)?

Thanks.
--
© 2004 Chaos Master | "I'm going under,
Posting from Brazil! | drowning in you
ICQ: 126735906 / | I'm falling forever,
UnderNet: FreeB5D | I've got to break through"
---------------------. -- Evanescence, "Going Under"

 

There's nothing magic about CDs; any plastic polish should work. Here's
some fairly common stuff as a starting point:

http://www.noscratch.com/novus/

You could get a single bottle for less than $3 and use an old rag for
the polishing cloth. I don't think it's going to get much cheaper than
that.

Polish the bottom side only or you'll be very sorry.

 

I have used fine polishing compound for acrylic paint. This is
available under the Turtlewax name in most areas.

It comes in a cream type form, and can be worked in with a soft cloth
or tissue. You can mix water with it to make it even more fine. Apply
as required. With some practice, it will be very effective.

Rinse of with water, and then try the CD disk with a soft tissue.

Do not polish the label side of a CD disk.


Jerry G.

 

The big computer stores (CompUSA, etc) have a kit for repairing
scratched CDs, for under 10 bucks. It has a fine and finer polish
compound and a gadget to hold the CD that makes it less likey you'll
damage the label side (Important!)


Does it work? I unintentially gave it a worst-case test; A spinning
CD in a CD player, while it's spinning, is a strong gyroscope. I
recently moved a CD drive that had just been powered down and the head
dug a trench in a circle on the CD. This CD was a distro that cost me
$$$. I picked up a polishing kit and with lots of labor I polished
the gouge completely out. The disk is back, 100%.

Amazingly, the CD drive is undamaged.

 

*cheap* way to remove scratches from scratched CD's

The classic mild abrasive is toothpaste.
The motion should go from the spindle hole to the edge
--NEVER *around* the disk (no circles).

Is (was) TechTV a good enough authority?
Google cache of Page 1:
http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:...llforhelp/howto/story/0,24330,3375597,00.html
Google cache of Page 2:
http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:...allforhelp/howto/jump/0,24331,3375598,00.html

 

Allegedly, another trick that works on apparently undamaged but
skipping disks, is to get a pot of just-boiling water and float the
disk foil side down on the surface for about a minute then take it out
and let it dry.

No ideas why it works, but it may do something to the layer interface
and/or front plastic.

Might try that as a "finishing touch" after polishing to get the last
of the scratches out. YMMV!

-A

 

Terran Melconian () caused an illegal operation in module

I will try this, thanks.

--
© 2004 Chaos Master | "I'm going under,
Posting from Brazil! | drowning in you
ICQ: 126735906 / | I'm falling forever,
UnderNet: FreeB5D | I've got to break through"
---------------------. -- Evanescence, "Going Under"

 

Better yet, try Brasso. I've used it on many previously
unplayable library CDs with excellent results.
http://www.burningissues.net/how_to/scratchrepair/scratchrepair.htm

--
_T o m_

_____________________________________________________________

" A: Top posting!

-- David Nebenzahl
_____________________________________________________________

 

*cheap* way to remove scratches from scratched CD's

Brasso contains organic solvents.
I would think water-based is the way to go.

 

Which means what? The mild solvent does no harm to the
polycarbonate material, other than polishing it. Just use it in
a well ventilated area, as directed.

BTW, as mentioned in the results chart from the previously
posted page, toothpaste is indeed useless.

 

I Burn a lot of CDRW and DVD-RW for movies I download. When it gets to
a spot where it locks up in my standalone player, I take the disk out
and wash it in warm water and dry it with a towel, this works about
75% of the time.

 

You can also use something like MacGuires Chrome Polish.
Can get it at typical Auto Parts House.
otherwise be sure it's compatable with aluminum since this will not
have any chemical reaction with any part of the CD.

If you know where you're going
Well, there you are.