Comments on: How to Repair Scratched CDs

on 11/22/2005 If you own the CD, you have a right to make a copy. Don't let the wording of DMCA scare you. It's written in the negative sense so as to discourage copying.

Make sure that we keep the rights we won in the 70's and 80's - protest protection schemes that don't allow fair use; make CDs not work in PCs and even in older CD players, smear the audio and other such things.

Use Exact Audio Copy. Once it's configured properly, it will make a very good copy of even a badly scratched CD. I had a Hank Williams CD with such a deep scratch that it took all night, but I got back one of my favorite CD's.

EAC is postcard ware. Make sure to send a postcard from your home town, if you like the product.

Remember, if you let industry rule the countries, through high dollar lobbying, it's no longer a government for the people, it's for the people with money and congress in their pocket.

In closing -
The labels are their own worst enemy. If they would point the finger at themselves, instead of giving the finger to their customers. They might survive, they'll be different, but they might survive.

on 11/22/2005 Non-abrasive is your key. Generally something you would clean your eyeglasses with, including fogging it with your breath and wiping with a soft, non-ribbed cotton shirt. Wipe with the inside of the shirt, it's likely more clean.

on 11/22/2005 Use just a little bit of toothpaste. It's gritty enough to clean it well, but not enough to damage the CD.

on 11/22/2005 Use a yellow highlighter. Color the entire thing, then wipe it off with a tissue. It doesn't always work, but it hasn't ever ruined anything for me.

on 11/22/2005 I've found that those CD repair devices (CD/DVD Doctor or Game Doctor) work perfectly to restore CDs to their original quality.

on 11/22/2005 Get a very soft artists eraser and rub it until the scratch is gone. I used water to get the eraser particles off and then alcohol rubbing pads to clean off the stuff that the water didn't take off. It took me a few attempts to get the disc fully working. The scratch still shows just a little bit, but it made the CD work!

on 11/22/2005 Boiling works really well, but don't leave the CD in for a few minutes, 30 seconds to 1 minute is plenty. This works great on dirty disks, but I'm not sure how helpful it is on scratched disks since the plastic doesn't really melt (I tried it on a scratched disk). This tip is also helpful on new games or DVDs. Sometimes they have a greasy coating on them that you can't really feel but it effects the laser. Boil them for 30 seconds, let air cool for 20 seconds and then wipe them clean.

on 10/1/2007 This is almost like using toothpaste, only better. Make sure to take your time and not to press down too hard on the media.

on 11/22/2005 I have been using WD-40 to repair scratched CD's for years. It works for me.

on 11/22/2005 Use regular white toothpaste to clean the CD. Audio CD's can cope with fine scratches much easier than coarse ones.

on 11/22/2005 Get the Dr. Doctor scratch remover. I had a CD that I had out of its case for months; I moved and it was rumbling around in a box and it didn't work for months. Then I bought the scratch remover, used it, and the CD now works like new.

on 11/22/2005 I rubbed Brasso on my scratched CD in a circular motion, then wiped off with Kleenex and it worked fine!

on 11/22/2005 My son totaled his James Bond PS2 game last week. I tried the SkipDR along with every other "hint" on the Internet, including conditioner, Vaseline and toothpaste. I was going for the Pledge when I came across a product called Ballistoil, that I use in place of WD40 because it is non-toxic.
I spritzed the Ballistoil on the disc and polished it dry and it plays like new!

on 11/22/2005 Take a window cleaner, spray the CD 2 times, then wipe clean with a damp rag.

on 11/22/2005 Lightly graze the bottom with a lighterand it will melt the scratches but don't leave it in one spot, or you will melt the hole cd.