How to Remove the Scratches From Gamecube Games

Repair a scratched GameCube CD

A GameCube CD, like any data CD, is susceptible to scratches, which can cause it to skip, lose data or stop playing. The methods used to repair a scratched CD range from filling in the scratches with a household item, such as toothpaste, to refinishing the surface with a CD refinishing machine.

Things You'll Need

• CD repair kit
• Toothpaste
• Soft, lint-free cloth
• Distilled water
• Metal polish

Instructions

1. Buff the CD with a CD repair kit. These kits contain a bottle of resurfacing glue and a device that will shave off the top layer of the CD. Spray the scratched surface of the disk with the resurfacing glue, then place the CD in the device and turn it on. Refer to the manual for the manufacturer's recommendation on the amount of time needed to buff the entire surface effectively. Some CD buffing devices use hand cranks.

2. Polish the scratched surface of the CD with toothpaste. Squeeze a small amount of an abrasive toothpaste onto a soft cloth and polish the CD with straight strokes, from the inner circle to the outer edge. Spray distilled water on the surface and use a soft, clean cloth to wipe off the toothpaste. Again use straight strokes from the inner edge of the CD to the outer edge.

3. Buff the surface of the scratched disk with a metal polish. Pour a small amount of the liquid polish onto a soft cloth and use straight strokes to polish the surface, from the inner edge to the outer edge. Pour a small amount of distilled water onto a clean, soft cloth and wipe off the polish off in the same manner.

4. Use a disk-cleaning service if the previous methods are ineffective. These services use CD refinishing machines to fix scratched CDs. You also can find these machines at music and video rental stores, where you might be able to get your CD repaired for a small fee.

Tips & Warnings

• Dirt and grease can also stop a GameCube CD from playing correctly. In "PC Upgrading and Troubleshooting Quicksteps," Kirk Steers suggests wiping a dirty CD with a lint-free cloth, water and a mild, liquid soap. Mix the water with the soap, dip the cloth in the solution and wring out the excess water. Wipe the CD from the center to the outer edge.

References

• "PC Upgrading and Troubleshooting Quicksteps"; Kirk Steers; McGraw-Hill Osborne Media, 2005