How To Repair Scratches in DVD's and CDs
How to Fix a Scratched CD or DVD
Continued from page 1
Wax the Disc
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A thin coat of vaseline or liquid furniture polish may make a disk temporarily readable. These products also may damage the disc over time and so should be used only as a last resort. Also, if any excess is not properly removed, it may damage the disc player, so take care to remove all excess polish.
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Apply a couple drops or very small dab of polish and wipe it into the surface of the disk, working from the center to the outer edge. Use a soft clean cloth. Do not wipe along the arc of track, around the disc.
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Test the disc. If it works, immediately make a backup copy of the disc.
Warm the Disc
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Carefully warming the disc can help to restore playability, at least temporarily.
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Hold the disk with your finger in the center hole and grasp the edge with your thumb.
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Hold the shiny side of the disk about 4-5 inches from a 60 watt bulb to gently warm the surface of the disc. Rotate the disc slowly to allow even heating.
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Try out the disk, if it works, immediately make a back-up copy.
Purchase Your Own Disc Repair Machine
- Disc repair machines are available in nearly every price range. Many are nothing more than disc cleaners. The most effective machines are also the most expensive. Unless you are in a setting that uses a huge number of CDs, like a radio station, the cost would probably be prohibitive.
Use a Professional Service
- There are several companies that offer CD & DVD repair service. They use specialty polishers to restore the polycarbonate surface of CDs.
- One manufacturer of polisher equipment we know of will also accept your individual CDs to run through their equipment. www.wefixcds.com