I've used Brasso (metal cleaner) to very good effect, it kind of takes off a very thin layer from the CD. I've even got CD's that wouldn't play, to play using this method, and costs next to nothing.
I've had different variations of this type of polish kit over the last 30 years. The first kit I bought came with a booklet. It explained that the goal was to NOT REMOVE visible scratches. The goal was to REDUCE the ability of a scratch to cause laser diffraction. CD players have built-in error correction. When the laser pickup cannot read every BIT on the disc, the algorithm in the player's error correction can "fill in" the missing BITs by guessing what is needed based on the readable BITS on either side of the unreadable BiTs. By polishing a scratched disc, you may reduce laser misreads. So even if your disc doesn't skip, the player is having to work harder. So again, the goal of these polishing kits was never about aesthetics, it was to improve playback of the disc.
My local record store has a CD buffing machine. They buff all used CDs. Most look perfect. However, if too aggressive the discs can look off. Most scratches come out though I prefer a few surface marks over a buffed CD.
If your CDs look anything like what’s shown in this video, DiY. Inspect the disc for any topside damage. If there is any damage, your disc may be toast. Only by buffing the shiny underside can you rescue a disc. I discovered this The Hard Way. It’s a REAL PiTA, but: 📀 Buy 1000, 300, 5000 grit sandpaper. 💿 Buy an auto polishing compound. Magnifying glass, rubbing alcohol, glass cleaner, blue disposable shop towels between buffings. Depending on the extent of damage choose the lower grit paper and concentrate on the deepest scratches first. The rubbing compound is used as a vehicle for the sandpaper. The rubbing alcohol is used to clean the surface when you get into the finer papers as the surface improves. Often at each stage I’ll switch to the rubbing compound and bear down with a shop towel, clean and repeat. Inspect. Repeat, because this will take awhile. This job depends upon 100% persistence. If you hang in there, you’ll get your CD back. But PAY ATTENTION that you don’t use too much pressure or you can weaken the disc and crack it. Another Cap’n Obvious Point is change towels often and keep the buffing area clean. It’s easy to rescratch doing this. This a money-saving option that’ll get more results. I’ve never used Disc Doctor or similar. Good Luck! ✌️
Elm-USA Disk Repair Equipment ECO-Master Regular price $21,995.00 50 disks at a time. ECO-Pro 2 Regular price $1,895.00 1 disk at a time. Makes them look like new under 1 minute. I do not sell and am not affiliated with the company at all.
LOL ... I'll bet you 3 manhole covers (already placed on your street for easy collection) that plain old Pepsodent Toothpaste works just as well or better and one tube will do a dozen or more discs!
Vhs movies doesn't stop playing at all everything proven people like myself are repairing VCR players in my house now days everything proven i know what vhs movies out doing y'all's video now days everything proven people like myself are buying VCR players cleaning tapes vhs movies offline now days
How do you repair scratches on your CDs?
I've been using automotive headlight cleaner/restorer basically because that's what I have on hand and it works pretty well.
@@ARAMP1 very interesting! I'll have to try that out as well. Thanks for sharing!
I've used Brasso (metal cleaner) to very good effect, it kind of takes off a very thin layer from the CD. I've even got CD's that wouldn't play, to play using this method, and costs next to nothing.
Thanks for the info!
@@ForeverAnalog Does it work on DVDs? 'Cause I have plenty of scratched DVDs. Planet 51 is one.
My local record store has a buffing machine for CDs. They buff all used CDs. Most look perfect.
Good Point! I’ll check to see if ours has such a service. Generally, local libraries don’t either.
✌️
I've had different variations of this type of polish kit over the last 30 years. The first kit I bought came with a booklet. It explained that the goal was to NOT REMOVE visible scratches. The goal was to REDUCE the ability of a scratch to cause laser diffraction. CD players have built-in error correction. When the laser pickup cannot read every BIT on the disc, the algorithm in the player's error correction can "fill in" the missing BITs by guessing what is needed based on the readable BITS on either side of the unreadable BiTs. By polishing a scratched disc, you may reduce laser misreads. So even if your disc doesn't skip, the player is having to work harder. So again, the goal of these polishing kits was never about aesthetics, it was to improve playback of the disc.
That makes sense. Thanks for sharing!
I use Scratch Out, the stuff to get out scratches in a car's clear coat. This stuff works great on CDs.
Good to know!
My local record store has a CD buffing machine. They buff all used CDs. Most look perfect. However, if too aggressive the discs can look off. Most scratches come out though I prefer a few surface marks over a buffed CD.
If your CDs look anything like what’s shown in this video, DiY. Inspect the disc for any topside damage. If there is any damage, your disc may be toast. Only by buffing the shiny underside can you rescue a disc. I discovered this The Hard Way.
It’s a REAL PiTA, but:
📀 Buy 1000, 300, 5000 grit sandpaper.
💿 Buy an auto polishing compound.
Magnifying glass, rubbing alcohol, glass cleaner, blue disposable shop towels between buffings.
Depending on the extent of damage choose the lower grit paper and concentrate on the deepest scratches first. The rubbing compound is used as a vehicle for the sandpaper. The rubbing alcohol is used to clean the surface when you get into the finer papers as the surface improves. Often at each stage I’ll switch to the rubbing compound and bear down with a shop towel, clean and repeat. Inspect. Repeat, because this will take awhile.
This job depends upon 100% persistence. If you hang in there, you’ll get your CD back. But PAY ATTENTION that you don’t use too much pressure or you can weaken the disc and crack it. Another Cap’n Obvious Point is change towels often and keep the buffing area clean. It’s easy to rescratch doing this.
This a money-saving option that’ll get more results. I’ve never used Disc Doctor or similar.
Good Luck!
✌️
How come did it come into so many scratches ?
Years and YEARS of living in my car lol
@@ForeverAnalog then,it looks brillant! ✌️
Of the thousands of cd’s I own, I only have one that suffered “cd rot”… have you ever seen this?? Mine was a Joey Molland disc from the ‘90s…..
The album was “The Pilgrim “ released in ‘92 on Rykodisc….
PS- I did buy another one which has not suffered the “rot”….
I haven't experienced any rot myself!
I think your supposed to let the liquid dry on it firat then wipe away try that
Thanks! I'll double check but the instructions I had suggested to wipe it off before drying.
Elm-USA
Disk Repair Equipment
ECO-Master
Regular price $21,995.00
50 disks at a time.
ECO-Pro 2
Regular price $1,895.00
1 disk at a time.
Makes them look like new under 1 minute.
I do not sell and am not affiliated with the company at all.
LOL ... I'll bet you 3 manhole covers (already placed on your street for easy collection) that plain old Pepsodent Toothpaste works just as well or better and one tube will do a dozen or more discs!
Yep 😂
Did not work for me.
@@johnwatrous3058
Did you use actual Pepsodent? There's a reason I was that specific... it contains a small amount of polishing compound.
Many of my cds look a little better but the play good, now i handle them better😅
Same here!
The test is to use it on a cd that skips
Yeah I agree and I looked ALL OVER for one that I thought would skip and struck out unfortunately
Vhs movies doesn't stop playing at all everything proven people like myself are repairing VCR players in my house now days everything proven i know what vhs movies out doing y'all's video now days everything proven people like myself are buying VCR players cleaning tapes vhs movies offline now days