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Removing Scratches from CDs and DVDs
Scratches on CDs and DVDs can be a problem. In some cases, even a small shallow scratch can render the disc useless. If you are wondering if there is still a use for your pile of scratched CDs of your favorite music albums, computer and console games, then you’re in luck.
Of course there are many commercial products available on the market; however, you don’t have to spend tons of money just to be able to listen to your favorite Radiohead album again or open that college thesis you burned to a CD years ago. You can easily make them work again by simply using the exisiting items you have in your home.
What You Need:
- Scratched CD / DVD. Finding this is very easy since you probably have many of them at home. Just make sure that the recording film / layer is not scratched, torn, or perforated; otherwise, there is no hope for recovering the data stored on it.
- Soft Cotton Cloth. An old shirt, a soft hanky, or even your old underwear will do. You can even use the cleaning cloth you usually use for your eyeglasses.
- Cleaning Chemicals. No, you don’t have to buy any of these from the hardware store. You simply need any of the following: banana peel, toothpaste (not the gel type), or metal polish (Brasso works very well).
Polishing the CD
Now that you have all the materials ready, just follow these simple steps:
- Start by cleaning the surface of the disc. Run water on the disc. Warm water works best. Gently soap it using a mild detergent or some liquid soap and rub it around the disc to get rid of grime and other stains on the surface. Remember to rub the disc from the center going out. Rubbing it in a circular motion will risk adding even more scratches.
- Wash off the soap and shake the excess water from the disc. Let it air dry. Inspect the surface of the disc when completely dry. You may want to try reading the disc in your player or your computer to see if it already works.
- If it doesn’t, then you will need to further polish the CD using the cleaning chemicals you have. If you will be using the banana peel, get the peeling and rub the inside of the peel on the surface of the CD or DVD. Remember to rub it from the center going outward, focusing more on the heavily scratches on your CD. The same thing goes if you are will be using toothpaste. If you will be using Brasso or some metal polish, make sure you work in a well-ventilated area so that you don’t inhale the fumes. Use the soft cloth to apply the polish.
- Try reading the disc in the player or your computer again. Some players, like entertainment systems, are very sensitive to scratches. If it does not seem to work, try a different player.
- If the disc works, immediately back up the CD using your burning software and burn it into a new CD or DVD just to be safe. If not, repeat the process again, this time for about 15 minutes.
Rub the cleaning material you have on the disc for about five minutes and wash the the disc completely afterwards. Make sure there isn’t any residue on the surface or the side of the disc. Shake off the excess water and air dry the disc.
If it Fails to Read…
A CD or DVD is composed of two materials: the recording film (that shiny reflective layer) and a plastic part. The recording film contains all the data stored on the CD. When a disc gets scratched, only the plastic layer gets scratched.
The scratch removing process merely evens out the scratches by either wearing the surface until it is even, or by filling in the scratches so that the laser from the player can read the surface again; however, when the recording film is the one damaged, you will not be able to recover the data anymore.
This really works! A computer tech also suggested to flush the cd in the toilet, shake and let air dry, he said that would guarantee a one time use. He was also right. When scratches are really bad i use a scratch cleaner for plastic? I know, but it works!!! Thank you for your suggestions.
plastX works great. it is made by mguiers. i usew it on my motorcycle windsheild and it is crystal clear. it also works great on xbox games that would not play otherwise. it removes scratches and waxes the cd to a clear finish. buy it at ace hardware or walmart or where mguires is sold. mguires car products. good luck… james
Really interesting…
*picks jaw up off floor*
Never, in a million years, did I think this would work. I took my copy of Final Fantasy 10 and polished it up with toothpaste, and had one of those, what the hell am I doing/I never thought I’d be doing this moment, dubious as to whether or not this would even work. It’s not like the game could not work more so than it’s not working now. I popped it back into the PS2, it loaded just fine, then it got to the part where it always freezes, and lo and behold, it loaded past that point, and I, in shock and awe, continued triumphantly along with my game. My hat is off to you, sir or madame. You saved me about 20 bucks that I’d've otherwise spent on a new copy of this game.
I genuinely am now eating my hat.
Do you have any recommendations for scratches on vinyl?
I buff them out with liquid car wax…puts a clear coat on them and fills in the scratches.
Don’t forget to backup those recovered CDs or DVDs as soon as you get them to work again. Good luck!
use gasoline
OMG! I am so gonna try this tonight! My oldest son has been after me to do something with his Cartel CD. yay!
It works best if you use baking soda, then rinse with tap water, then microwave for a quick 10-second dry. Just like new!
Looks too good to be true to me. Maybe I’ll try it on a CD I don’t care about
Do NOT put your CD or DVD in the microwave!
It has a metal film on it and will create sparks and possibly do some damage.
Don’t listen to everyone… some people try to fool you.
For a temp/quick fix ill polish a cd with oil, even cooking oil works well. Just a few drops of oil on the CD/DVD and a tissue, polishing with the same techique as above and make sure no excess oil is left on the CD/DVD. Works a treat.
This looks great. I use alcohol to clean my CDs, now I know more ways.
Wow, I\\\’m going to try this out now. I did try to use toothpaste to clean discs, but your article showed me the correct way. Thank you very much!
get baking soder and oil then after you have applied over the scratches. put in the oven on 200 degrees and leave for 10mins then wipe all the crap off and you are ready to use your disk
Instead of the microwave or oven, rub it clean with gasoline with the above procedure, light a match and put it close to the cd; the gasoline not only cleans the surface grime but also fills in the deep scratches and makes it nice and smooth.
you F’ing fools, LAWL for idiots!