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A Repair Scratched DVD or CD, is a disc made of plastic that holds digital information. A laser beam scans the information onto it. A laser is used to read the digital data that has been encoded on a digital video disc (DVD). Since it uses a digital format, a DVD can hold any kind of data, like movies, pictures, or text.
Since a DVD stores its data on a disc that is outside of the device, the disc is easy to scratch, which can make the data unreadable. Scratches are the worst thing for a disc. Depending on where the scratch is, a scratched disc may or may not be able to be Fix Repair Scratched DVD or CD.
If the scratch is on the top, shiny part of the disc, it can’t be fixed and all the information on it is lost. If the scratch is on the plastic bottom of the disc, you might be able to fix it by resurfacing and polishing it.
(Fix) Repair Scratched DVD
Polishing the DVD
- As mentioned above, disks with scratches that go deep will not be able to be mended. To assess the damage, hold the disk up in the sunlight. Repair Scratched DVD or CD, If sunlight shines through the scratch, the DVD is unlikely to be mended.
- Scratches that are circular, around the laser track, are more likely to result in a permanently damaged disk. Small scratches that run across the radius are easier to fix.
- Clean the DVD. Use a soft cloth and some very clean water. You may also use alcohol, but most other solvents may damage the discs.
- Find a jewelry cloth (also known as a jeweler’s rouge, or a rouge cloth). A cloth specialized for eyeglasses would also do.
- Insert the disk into your DVD player. Try to play it, to evaluate if cleaning the disk solved the problem. If it is not repaired, more extreme measures are required.
Filling the Scratches
- Assess the damage. Decide whether your DVD can be fixed, or whether it has irreparable damage. (For more on this, see above.)
- Clean the DVD. Use a soft cloth and some very clean water. You can also use alcohol, but many cleaning solvents can damage the discs.
- Find a jewelry cloth (also known as a jeweler’s rouge, or a rouge cloth). A cloth specialized for eyeglasses would also do.
- Hold the disk from the sides with your non-dominant hand. Then, gently wipe the disk from the center to the edges, across the radius, using the jewelry cloth. Continue wiping around the disk, from inside to outside, until the entire disk has been cleaned.
- Insert the disk into your DVD player. Try to play it, to evaluate if cleaning the disk solved the problem. If it is not repaired, more extreme measures are required.
- Remove the vaseline. Use a method similar to what you did when cleaning the disc. It may be useful to use alcohol (even if you didn’t when initially cleaning the disc) to help break up the vaseline. Make sure there are no smudges or evident residue left behind.
Repair Scratched CD
Using Toothpaste
- Choose a basic toothpaste. Instead, opt for a basic white paste to polish your CD. All types of toothpaste contain enough abrasive minerals to get the job done
- Apply toothpaste to the CD surface. Squeeze a small dab of toothpaste onto the scratched surface of your CD and spread it evenly over the surface of the CD with your finger.
- Polish the CD. Using a radial motion, slowly work the toothpaste around the CD. Start at the center and move in a straight line outward.
- Clean and dry the CD. Run the CD under some warm water and rinse thoroughly. Then, using a soft, clean cloth, dry the CD and double check to make sure you’ve removed all traces of toothpaste or moisture.
Masking Tape Method
- Hold the disc with its shiny side up in clear view of a bright light.
- See if any holes are visible on the shiny side.
- Flip the disc and mark the areas holes with a permanent marker.
- Take 2 small strips of masking tape and stick them on top of each other over the area you have just marked.
FAQ
Does putting toothpaste on scratched discs work?
You can use toothpaste to buff out minor scratches in the CD. Choose a mildly abrasive toothpaste, and apply it to the scratched area with a small amount of water, and then gently rub the mixture with a clean cloth over the scratched surface.
What is a home remedy for scratched disc?
Apply a small dab of white toothpaste or metal polish to a clean, lint-free (ie fluff-free) cloth and rub very gently along the scratch from the disc’s centre outwards. Cover the full length of the scratch, then repeat twice for good measure.
Why does toothpaste remove scratches?
Paste-based toothpaste acts as a mild abrasive that levels out the scratch, removing it or making it less noticeable.