Save CDs

Step 8: Save CDs

Some of you kids may not realize it, but once upon a time there were these things called "CDs" and "DVDs". They would occasionally get scratched and cause the music or movies on them to skip. With a tube of toothpaste and some luck, it is possible to rescue a scratched disc.

Put a small dab of toothpaste onto the scratched side of the disc. With a soft, clean towel, rub the toothpaste over the entire disc in concentric circles, as though you were the needle on a record player*. Wipe any remaining toothpaste off with a slightly-damp towel. You could be listening to "Tubthumping" on repeat in no time.

*Ask your grandparents what a "record" is.

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boom man56 says: Feb 19, 2013. 7:49 PM

I know what a record is we have one

wolf996 says: Oct 30, 2012. 7:07 PM

What About Floppy Disks And VHS Tapes?

radharc says: Apr 3, 2011. 10:13 PM

Great Instructable! I used to run a used record/cd store, and toothpaste was an effective tool to remove scratches (I always used Pear Drops). I recommend rubbing from the center of the disc to the edge, rather than concentric circles, though. Turtle Wax also makes a good finishing step...

RaNDoMLeiGH in reply to radharcApr 6, 2011. 5:37 AM

I've used Armor All too for finishing, but Turtle Wax is also a good product. DON'T use Future floor wax or the other floor wax that contains Future. It makes it nice and shiny, but the disc will no longer play.

I just got a new TV (my 20 year old POS finally crapped out). Then I had to update my DVD player because my fantastic old carousel didn't talk to the TV. Then we had to get a new Thing, I don't even know what it's called, for all the other thingies to plug into. (The last time I got one of these it was called an amp, where you plugged in all your components.) THEN we had to get a new cable box, and we got a dealie to read off flash drives and SD cards for all the crap we downloaded. And finally, we bodged in a way for the VCR to play (looks like sh*t now on the fancy-pants TV). The record player required a new pre-amp to plug into this amp-on-steroids, and now I can listen to my A-Ha and DuranDuranDuran records again. Woot! They sure sound great through the Polks.

Day after we finally got it all working, the next door neighbor came over and asked if we wanted his old TV coz he was going to go hi-def. We told him to expect to pay a lot more than just for the TV to upgrade his system.

Why do they keep changing things? It's not like the shows are getting any better. You'd think with all the sparkly new A/V stuff, they might show happier news on TV, play better music on the "radio", or have better shows on TV. But no, it's just more channels of crap to choose from. If I rub toothpaste on the remote control, will it spiff up the programming? Maybe I should rub toothpaste on the dudes in charge.

flamekiller says: Apr 4, 2011. 12:39 AM

I love the 50 cent tube of travel toothpaste paired with the $4,000 piece of software. Nice combination.

mcdudeman in reply to flamekillerApr 4, 2011. 3:25 PM

Where? I just see some DVD called Autodesk (Sounds like one boring movie...) and toothpaste

RasielD in reply to mcdudemanApr 4, 2011. 9:55 PM

Autodesk manufactures a good portion of the software of the 3D movie and game world and most products they sell are $4k or higher. It's really hard to find a movie/commercial/videogame that hasn't been touched by Maya, 3DS Max, Softimage, Mudbox, or one of their other programs.

wbsbadboy says: Apr 4, 2011. 5:54 AM

GRAND PARENTS!!!! I'm not that old .......Yet!
LOL!
Great information. Thank you!

ColleenG says: Apr 3, 2011. 11:47 AM

Tip: use the the plain PASTE not GEL, and also let the paste completely dry and test again, if it doesnt work try again! Mine didnt work after the 1st time but after the 2nd try my cd was good as new!!!

majeral says: Apr 3, 2011. 11:18 AM

BE VERY CAREFUL WHO'S TOOTH PASTE YOU USE!!
I used one that was very "gritty" lots of abrasive feel to it. The CD was ruined. And the gel kind do not work I have found that Arm and Hammer is great (and made in the USA) .

cybergod says: Apr 3, 2011. 6:39 AM

Never tried toothpaste for this, but I know that brasso or silvo WILL remove most fine to small scrathes from CD and DVD, when used with a soft cloth.

manuelink64 in reply to cybergodApr 3, 2011. 10:34 AM

x2, I tried in a music CD and works like a charm!!

the toothpaste has regular results. I prefer the Brasso

Regards!

BtheBike in reply to cybergodApr 3, 2011. 8:43 AM

All tooth paste is not created equal . A friend tried this with some classic pron dvd i let him borrow . He might as well have used sand paper on them .

mcdudeman in reply to BtheBikeApr 4, 2011. 3:27 PM

pron dvd? do you mean prom?

BtheBike in reply to mcdudemanApr 4, 2011. 8:47 PM

Sure . Prom , pron or Porn . take your pick =)