How to Repair Scratched CDs, DVDs and Video Games

CDs were supposed to be the answer to all our music and data storage problems. Crystal clear digital audio, no humming, no hiss, no fuss, a medium that would last forever. However, they're not as resilient as you might expect. Just one little scratch is enough to make your precious CD jump more than the Olympic Champion Skipping team, and your music, movie, data or game is lost forever.

If you have got a CD or two in your collection that is causing problems, don't turn it into a fashionable coaster just yet. It can be repaired.

Before attempting to fix a scratch, make sure the problem isn't simply dirt, dust or hair. Clean it with a soft cloth and gentle detergent or window cleaner. Also, try the disc in another computer or stereo to make sure the problem is with the CD and not the player itself. Finally, run a CD/DVD Laser Lens cleaner to be certain your player is clean for optimum performance.

If you are sure that the CD needs a scratch filled, then you can follow these easy steps to repair it. (Don't forget, these steps apply not only to music CDs, but CD-Roms, Playstation games, and DVDs as well!)

What you will need:

* A soft, lint-free cloth such as a chamois
* Some mild abrasive like toothpaste or Brasso
* Cotton swabs
* Clean water.

What to do:

* Write down where your disc skips. This makes it easier to check to see if the repairs were successful when you're done.
* Clean the disc first with mild soap and water. It may just be dirty with fingerprints and dust. Dry with the cloth from the center to the edge.
* Find the scratches by looking at the surface of the CD at an angle.
* Polish the scratches with a cotton swab, rubbing the paste-covered swab gently over the scratches until they disappear or until you notice that you have removed them as far as possible. Sometimes the paste may cause new scratching, but it will be merely superficial and easily removed.
* Rinse the cleaner off with water and dry the CD with a dry bit of cloth. DO NOT use tissues or paper towels.
* Play the CD and see if it works. If it still skips, repeat the previous steps again, but this time rub a bit harder. If the toothpaste fails, try the Brasso.

Alternately, you can rub the CD with Vaseline from the center to the edge. Make sure to rub it all off, or you can damage your player when you test the disc.

If you'd rather not try the home remedy, there are products on the market that can reliably repair your scratched CDs and DVDs. There are even businesses that will take care of it for you if you would rather leave it to the professionals.

Products

Skip Doctor - This is what I use for my DVDs. It's a great product, but you have to be VERY careful to follow the directions exactly! Available on Amazon

Wipe Out! - http://www.cdrepair.com/

Memorex Optifix Pro - automatic repair, available on Amazon.

CD Repairman - high volume electric repair http://www.cdrepairman.com/

Companies

Spark's CD Repair Shop - http://www.sparkscd.com/main/index.php

Rolling Thunder Music - http://www.rollingthundermusic.com/cdrepr.htm

Oh My Disc! - http://www.ohmydisc.com/

Good luck!