Effective Optical Disc Repair?

CyberKnet writes "I have an extensive music collection on original CD media. While most of it is in impeccable condition, I have a few discs that have suffered extensive scratching through listening to the disc either via a portable disc player, or in a car CD stacker. I've long since learned the error of my old ways and don't listen to discs in those devices any more, but those discs are irreplaceable in many cases. I would very much like to be able to repair them or have them repaired to original condition, or at least well enough that I can pull the tracks off once and archive the track data. I have heard really uncomplimentary things about devices like the Skip Doctor; ranging from it not helping to it making things worse. I've heard great things about JFJ devices that are seen on the counters of most Hollywood and BlockBuster video stores, but even their consumer devices start at $250. I would appreciate any other suggestions for devices that people have had personal experience with that won't break the bank."

Comments

Toothpaste

[Goldberg's Pants]

Get toothpaste. NOT GEL, but regular white paste. Get a small cloth, put a dab on it, then rub it from the center to the outside in straight lines going outwards around the whole disk. When you're done, clean it off and pat it dry. Disk will look like hell, but it'll work.

I have rescued lord knows how many CDs with this technique, including console ones that were completely screwed, and even resurrected a dead DVD-RW just this past weekend using this technique.

Re:Toothpaste

[Inda]

1. Take a power drill, make sure the hammer action is off.
2. Place the CD on the chuck, tighten the chuck around a bolt and washer to keep it in place.
3. Clamp the drill in a bench vice.
4. Spin the CD at 30,000rpm
5. Hold an oily rag against the CD and polish away.

Disclaimer: I typed this message with two fingers.

NOVUS plastic polish

[Ellis D. Tripp]

Have had good luck using this stuff, a piece of chamois, and some elbow grease. Good on all kinds of plastics, not just CDs/DVDs.

http://www.amazon.com/Novus-Polish-Plastic-Scratch-Remover/dp/B000B4Q9Y6

Blow Torch, Seriously

[michaelepley]

Make a few quick, gentle passes over the recorded side(s) with a common butane blow torch, of the plumbing variety. The heat slightly melts the polycarbonate plastic, causing most scratches to get filled in, and other sharp edges to be smoothed & making reading easier. Tips: 1) don't overdo it, or the plastic might warp, 2) doesn't work well with recorded media (CD-Rs), 3) first practice a couple of times with media you don't mind losing.

Re:Blow Torch, Seriously

[Lucas.Langa]

"Gentle passes of a butane blow torch" sounds like some serious goth poetry volume title ;)

I've got a $5 solution..

[Awptimus Prime]

Get a $5 tub of Mother's Metal Polish. It'll take out scratches in any plastic as long as you use a cotton or microfiber cloth.

It's also handy if you get a gimp DVD from NetFlix/Blockbuster and don't feel like waiting for a replacement.

Typically, you can buff down the worst of gashes in less than a minute. If you can't, then the $250 device probably wouldn't have worked either.

Since there's no way you'll use the whole tub on CDs or DVDs, you can use the rest to pretty up your silverware, brass stuff, and rub rust off things you don't feel safe using steel wool on.

Re:I've got a $5 solution..

[Taibhsear]

Since there's no way you'll use the whole tub on CDs or DVDs, you can use the rest to pretty up your silverware, brass stuff, and rub rust off things you don't feel safe using steel wool on.

This is probably off topic but I felt compelled to reply, never buff your silver. There's a super easy trick that companies don't want you to know. (IAAC) Get a container big enough for your silverware. Put aluminum foil in it, put the silver on top of it, fill with boiling water, sprinkle baking soda on top. The tarnished parts of the silver will disappear. It's an oxidation reduction reaction. Every atom of the silver will remain and it only removes the tarnish. No worry about scratches or wearing down the metal. I shine all my/my gf's/my family's silver jewelry and utensils this way. It only takes a few seconds.

Re:I've got a $5 solution..

[Anonymous Coward]

As a fine jeweler, I must say that you pose an interesting solution. However, I don't think that the reaction with aluminum is going to help you, the wearer, much. After putting the jewelry back on, you can still leave aluminum oxide all over your skin, which is very much an irritant.

Also, some of the stones you put in there will absolutely turn to crap if you try that. Don't do it with aquamarines, emeralds, opals, coral, turquoise, or any other soft stone.

Just a note

[Red Flayer]

If anyone recommends a home remedy (like toothpaste or baking soda paste), I would try it first on one of your not-so-irreplaceable discs.

Otherwise, you may be *very* unhappy with the results (like if you use a "whitening" toothpaste, or if your tecnhique sucks).

Reminds of an A-Team episode where someone (Murdoch?) tells Mr. T to clean his gold jewelry by putting it in the microwave. Mr. T was not amused with the results, to say the least.

Re:cdparanoia

[pitchpipe]

Burn to new CD.

No need! This is the absolute GREATEST optical disk repair device that I've found! It'll even repair cracked disks!

Ask the record company/RIAA to replace it

[krbvroc1]

Since you only license the material and do not own it, they should be able to replace the media for a nominal fee.

Re:Not Toothpaste

[weirdcrashingnoises]

thats not toothpaste...

Re:cdparanoia

[orielbean]

You know when your disk repair tool is measured in horsepower, you are ready to rock.

Re:Not Toothpaste

[bennomatic]

I'm such a nerd. I immediately thought of this as a Star Wars reference: "This is not the toothpaste you're looking for..." I was wondering how this might be considered funny, and then...

Re:cdparanoia

[ShieldW0lf]

You can learn more than you ever wanted to know about ripping discs from the guys at Chris Myden/UberNet. Not that I would ever have anything to do with such a network, that being illegal and such.

http://www.chrismyden.com/uber/