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.
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.
Test the disc. If it works, immediately make a backup copy of the disc.
Warm the Disc
Carefully warming the disc can help to restore playability, at least temporarily.
Hold the disk with your finger in the center hole and grasp the edge with your thumb.
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.
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
