How to Repair a Warped CD

CDs are partly made of plastic, and if you accidentally leave one on your dashboard or in your car trunk (and you'd only do that by accident, right?), it could get more warped than your taste in music. Since CD players prefer perfectly flat discs, that's a problem--but one that may be fixable.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 10 Lbs. (5 Kg) Of Books
• Soft Cloth
• Soft Cloth
• Two Sheets Of 1/4-inch (6-mm) Window Glass
• Zipper-lock Plastic Bags

1. Inspect the CD for cracks. If the airtight seal is broken, then the aluminum inside the disc will corrode regardless of whether you can get the CD flat again. (See How to Restore a CD.)

2. If the CD isn't cracked, clean it carefully with a soft cloth, making sure it's free of debris.

3. If the CD is only slightly warped, try sandwiching it between two pieces of 1/4-inch (6-mm) window glass and pressing it beneath a 10-lb. (5-kg) stack of books for two or three days.

4. If the heavy books alone don't work, try warming up the disc to soften the plastic first. Place the disc in a zipper-lock plastic bag and immerse it in 100°F (38°C) water for 5 minutes. Repeat the book pressing.

5. If you succeed in flattening a warped disc, it's a smart idea to make a copy of it, in case the airtight seal was broken and the disc later starts to corrode.

Tips & Warnings

• Attempting to play a warped or damaged disc could damage your CD player.

[nanocneirbo]

on 10/25/2008 Does this work for DVDs?