by Logan Sanderson

Created on: October 10, 2009

First, before you try to fix a scratched disc, there are a few questions you need to ask:

1) CD or DVD?

* CDs and DVDs, although they share the same physical size, are actually built slightly differently. If you look closely at a CD, you will notice that the foil layer is exposed on top, whereas on a DVD, it is sealed between two layers of polycarbonate.

2) Determine what kind of scratch you need to fix.

* If the top layer (the foil) of a CD is scratched, then the CD is permanently damaged. There is no way it can be fixed. This is why CDs should be handled with care for both sides of the disc.

* Sometimes discs are simply dirty and can be easily cleaned without performing any scratch removal.

* If scratch removal is required, ensure that it is actually practical to resurface the disc yourself, otherwise, the disc is either beyond repair or will require a professional solution.

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+ Method 1: Clean the disc.

I simply run the disc under tap water while wiping it down and polishing the read side with a soft towel or cloth. This will clean the disc and may actually fix any playback problems you may be having even if not all the scratches are gone.

+ Method 2: Resurface

There are some tools you can buy that claim to remove scratches. I have only had one of these devices second-hand and did not have noticeably better results than with my own homemade method.

The homemade method I know of is... surprise... toothpaste! It turns out that the abrasive texture of toothpaste will actually, in my experience, have the similar results to a scratch remover. I can't guarantee anything here, but this method has seemed to work for me in the past. Simply place some toothpaste on the clear side of the disc (NOT on the foil side if it's a CD!) and spread it around the disc while scrubbing the surface. Afterwards, simply run the disc under water and use your fingers to clean off the toothpaste. The surface of the disc will now look a bit different, but it may have better playback results than before.

+ Method 3: Professional Solution

Some stores have professional solutions for resurfacing and repairing scratched discs. I've never tried these services personally, but I presume that they would work pretty well. Truly resurfacing a disc will remove any scratches from the data side, however, as stated before, a CD with scratches on the foil can never be repaired, even with professional equipment.

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In conclusion, discs are pretty durable, especially DVDs; CDs are a bit more fragile due to the fact that the foil is exposed.

There are probably other homemade solutions for resurfacing CDs; some are most likely better than mine.

The best practice is to try and prevent scratches in the first place, make sure to keep your discs protected and don't leave them openly exposed to objects and surfaces that could potentially scratch them.

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