Fixing Scratched CD's

[QuestCollector]

I was wondering a few of the methods you guys have used to fix a scratched cd. This thread may be able to help people out (me for example) I purchased a QFG collection off ebay and the cd was horrible, scratched everywhere. After a few hours of cleaning it slowly started to work. I used everything... rubbing alcohol, toothpaste, and even water. The cd looks real clean but there are two deep scratches if I can level out the cd it will be fine.

I was wondering what you guys do to fix a cd... hopefully you can help me out and give me another method.

Moderator Edit: I have made this topic sticky because of the very usefull information.

[King Graham]

Just an old Maxell CD cleaner kit that I purchased a few years back. It has a tray to place the CD on, a hand buffer, and some cleaning fluid. I rarely have scratches on my CDs, so I've only used it three times, but it did the job well enough. Though for all I know, there could be vastly superior methods.

[Robin]

[QuestCollector]

[Robin]

You fill in cracks?

Well you cant fix CD like that, I mean when its damaged the information it self is damaged so I doubt that tooth paste.

[King Graham]

A CD is like a record. There are differently shaped grooves all over it. The laser reads the different-sized grooves, and translates it into information that the computer can understand.

According to Sony toothpaste does work:

"With scratches, it is not the actual data section of the disc that is damaged; it is the clear coating that protects the data section of the disc that has become damaged. Thus, the scratch is interfering with the path that the laser must travel through to get to the information. To fix this, you can repair the disc by either filling the scratch with an optical material, or polishing down the scratch to remove it. There are many commercial products designed to help you do this, but you can also use a polishing compound, or even toothpaste to get the trick done. Just make sure you do not create any new scratches while you remove the old ones by polishing in straight lines away from the center. Cracked or warped discs may damage a media playing/recording device. If a disc breaks inside of the unit, pieces are likely to strike the optics."

[Robin]

I never knew.
Thanks.

[King Graham]

Neither did I. It came as quite the surprise!! Imagine using toothpaste to fix a CD. Very interesting.

[Blahdiedadie]

So do you use a toothbrush to apply it?

[Robin]

[QuestCollector]

[Robin]

[QuestCollector]

Another solution for fixing a CD is a brass cleaning component called "Brasso" Warning: Smell is a bit strong so fix cd in fresh air If you have any CD's not working I suggest using this instead of toothpaste (cleaner and easier)

[Robin]

[Skywalker]