Removing Scratches from CDs
Step1
Play the disk in question to determine if it actually has any problem. If your disc has visible scratches that do not cause any problems during play, you are better off leaving it alone. You could end up creating a problem where there was none before.
Step2
Examine the disc visually. If the scratches are very deep, or are made in a circular direction, they are less likely to succeed than if the scratches are small and perpendicular to the center of the disk. If the surface appears abraded, then you may be better off using a specially designed grinder to remove the top layer of plastic. See Step 9.
Step3
Clean the disc using the soft cloth and eye glass cleaner. It is possible that dirt, instead of scratches, is causing the problem. When cleaning, always rub in a straight line from the center of the disc toward the outside edge. Never rub in a circular motion as this could make the problem much worse.
Step4
Try playing the disc again and see if the problem goes away. If not, then continue to the next step.
Step5
Get another soft cloth and apply a metal polish of a similar type to Brasso. As before, wipe in straight lines, from the inside to the ourside. Do NOT rub in a circular motion. Use mild pressure. Be careful not to press too hard or you could crack the disc. Work your way around the disc until you have covered all scratches completely.
Step6
Wipe the disc once more, in the same way, using a cloth dampened with water to remove any excess polish.
Step7
Let the disc dry. If necessary pat it dry with a soft towel, but do not rub it.
Step8
Try playing the disc again. The skipping should now be eliminated, or at least greatly improved. If there is little or no improvement, then you may be out of luck. As a last resort you can try the next step, but be aware that it will cost you about $20-30 and there is still no guarantee that it will work. Thus, it may not be worth it, unless you have a lot of damaged discs in need of repair.
Step9
Use a CD grinder, such as Skip Doctor. It works by physically grinding off the top layer of plastic on your CD. This will work only with certain types of scratches. Follow the instructions on the package precisely. After using it you may repeat the metal polish procedure above if needed.