Re-surfacing CDs so they work again.

Step 3 Insert CD into CD-ROM Drive and Test.

Take your polished, rinsed and dried CD and test it in your CD ROM. If it still doesn't work go back to step #2.

As you see by my example, I was successful at pulling the data off my CD-ROM.

I have not attempted this on DVDs or video console games. Please do this at your own risk. results will vary on your patience, and polishing technique.

Comments

[Brandonfonzyman]

ya i that on my game and it didnt work can any one gve me some more tips?

:]

[imdoinme1999]

Vaseline (Petroleum Jelly) Seems To Work Very Well For Me.(:

[Brandonfonzyman]

i tried that and it didn't work. Any more tips i could try.
:(

[scottamus]

2000+ grit Sand paper would probably work great. Just attach it to something perfectly flat (I would use a sheet of glass) and start rubbing the disc on it in circular motions. I'd start with 2000 grit and see if that's enough to take the scratches out if it's not go to a lower grit. Once the surface is uniform go a higher grit and repeat. You'll have the added benefit of a trued (flat) surface. This is how I true chisels and if you do it right they have a mirror finish.

[Andy229]

I use 1200, 1500 and 2000 grit sandpaper, I've found simply tearing off a small piece, say 5x3cm and sanding the disc by hand, usually in straight motions from centre to outside. Depending on the severity of the scratch, I usually use 2000 and if it doesn't work, then 1500, sometimes 1200 if I just want to hurry it up. Then go back up to finer grit (1200 to 1500 to 2000) then polish with brasso on a cloth. That usually fixes it. If I want, I can also polish it further with plain white toothpaste, which can vary in ingredient.

[pixy.misa]

When gentle polishing alone does not work, I also use sandpaper and work up to 3000 grit before polishing with rubbing compound.

[fnkdctr]

You dont want to rub in a circular motion.. this is the way the data is read.. You actually wipe from the center straight out. And dont expect to remove all the scratches, you just buff them and remove the sharp/jagged edges so the laser doesnt skip. It can go up and down a hill, it cant jump a mountain. skip doctor is pro.

[wittyhoosier]

That may work, but first you'll have to sand down the ridge that runs around the center hole (presumably to keep the readable surface from contacting anything if the disk were laid flat. Take a look!)

[perfecttommy]

The readable surface is not the shiny side of the cd. The data is written on the upper side under the print. That's the vulnerable side. The scratches on the 'playing surface' just get in the way of the laser , inhibiting it's ability to read the upper layer. Just fyi. Shabbadooooooo!!!

[PitmanGSXR1000]

Hi all i just wanted to add to this with a comment about Xbox 360 dvd's. I had a 360 disk which had a horrible scratch running round the centre middle of the disk almost a full circle which rendered the disk unreadable by the console and i can confirm that after using this instructable the disk now installs and plays works fine although i replaced the paper towel with a soft cloth so it did take a few minutes more but the end result was a sucess. Thanks to germanpickle for this very effective method.

[babyandmom1]

did it on shrek the 3rd before trying it I could not even get to the main menu now my son is watching it and so far so good there was a little skipping so I may have to do it one more time to get that out but seems good! Thank You!!!

[shikira]

I have used furniture polish, just spray and polish on a DVD and it worked fine. Actually it was Mr. Sheen furniture but im sure any furniture polish which is not greasy would do.

[kylet007]

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo shiney

[hondagofast]

Toothpaste works on seemingly un-readable PS1 discs that were scratched and had soda syrup baked on that I bought at a yard sale for $.50

[ZenZan]

I've used this several times, it does work. But I start with tooth paste. Most tooth pastes are a fine lapping compound (polish)and it's slightly more abrasive than Braso. Also the first thing to try with any damaged CD is washing it in warm (not hot) soapy water. And if you hold it up to the light and can see light shining through, ie the foil is damaged, forget it (please note CD's are slightly "see through" kind of like the shiny wrapping tea bags come, in check it out). Your only other hope is to use software to copy it and skip the damaged part. Ok for movies and Music, little hope if it's software. Oh and Patience is a Virtue. I've been thinking of makeing a automatic polisher, couple of gears a pad or two and a motor. Any suggestions?

[jackofalltrades]

This process should work on DVDs and game discs, as they run just like CDs do, with a laser reading grooves in the upper layer. If a disc is scratched, the laser gets distorted and files etc. cannot be accessed. When scratches are lessened, the laser can penetrate the plastic again. I like this method because it uses houshold items :)

[lbreevesii]

If you are willing to drop the cash, the novus series of plastic polishes works incredibly well. Having not used the brasso method I would try it first to see if the novus number 3(heavy) is more or less abrasive than brasso. I've used the novus system on some severely scratched disks including some OS disks laying around the pc shop with great sucess

[bricyn]

Sorry Guys, It should have been the kr-70 kit(they changed the number)

[bricyn]

The aviation product we use on aicraft windows and canopies is called "micromesh"
Check out this wesite: https://www.micro-surface.com (all you need to know is here... try the kn-70 kit)
It is designed specifically for polishing and removing scratches from plastic. I work in aviation and I've used this kit to repair several severely scratched cd's. It works very well. As with all polishing processes READ AND FOLLOW the directions,and be prepared to spend some time doing this (is it worth fixing-or replacing?) I've always been able to get my discs to play again using this product. I hope this helps everyone.
Regards,
Brian

[Goshen.Guy]

I am concerned with anything that removes material, as the newer - read that "cheaper" - method of disk manufacture applies a layer of foil directly to the underside of the disk, without the benefit of the protective layer of plastic. This leaves the foil unprotected. What happens if you are using an abrasive directly on the foil, and not on plastic? Have you used this on the newer (cheaper) disks?

[Trent The Thief]

There's a standard military procedure similar to this method that is used to repair scratches in aircraft canopies. It has abrasive compounds in suspension fluids and sand papers from 4000 to 12 or 16000 grits. I've never seen it used, but the airframes guys always had a couple kits laying around.