Fix a Scratched DVD

DVDs and CDs usually show some wear and tear after a few years of use. Some of these can affect the image quality you see on screen, and if too many accumulate the disc may become unusable. If you notice small scratches on the surface of your DVDs, try cleaning, polishing and waxing them to restore function.

Steps

Polishing the DVD

  1. Assess the damage. Decide whether your DVD can be fixed, or whether it has irreparable damage.
    • As mentioned above, disks with scratches that go deep will not be able to be mended. To assess the damage, hold the disk up in the sunlight. If sunlight shines through the scratch, the DVD is unlikely to be mended.
    • Scratches that are circular, around the laser track, are more likely to result in a permanently damaged disk. Small scratches that run across the radius are easier to fix.
  2. Clean the DVD. Use a soft cloth and some very clean water. You may also use alcohol, but most other solvents may damage the discs.
  3. Find a jewelry cloth (also known as a jeweler's rouge, or a rouge cloth). A cloth specialized for eyeglasses would also do.[1]
  4. Hold the disk from the sides with your non-dominant hand. Then, gently wipe the disk from the center to the edges, across the radius, using the jewelry cloth. Continue wiping around the disk, from inside to outside, until the entire disk has been cleaned.
  5. Insert the disk into your DVD player. Try to play it, to evaluate if cleaning the disk solved the problem. If it is not repaired, more extreme measures are required.
  6. Try to create a uniform surface. There are several methods for doing this:
    • Buy rubbing polish from an automotive store. Apply a small amount of the compound. Rub it across the radius until it covers the entire surface. Allow it to sit for a few minutes. Then, rinse and rub with a soft cloth. Use this product in a well-ventilated area, and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after polishing.[2]
    • Buy a mechanical scratch remover. This also removes the first layer of disk material and polishes the disk. Insert the DVD and turn the hand crank according to package directions. Buff with your jewelry cleaning cloth.
    • Buy a professional DVD scratch polish, such as SkipDr. Apply the product across the radius. Allow it to sit according to package directions, so that the outer layer of disk will be removed. Rinse and/or buff the disk with the jewelry cloth.
    • Try basic toothpaste. Get a plain enamel-cleaning paste at your local drugstore. The grit inside toothpaste helps to clean and buff the surface of the disk. Apply toothpaste across the radius until the entire disk is covered. Let the toothpaste dry. Then, rinse it clean and buff with your jewelry cleaning cloth across the radius.

Filling the Scratches

  1. Assess the damage. Decide whether your DVD can be fixed, or whether it has irreparable damage. (For more on this, see above.)
  2. Clean the DVD. Use a soft cloth and some very clean water. You can also use alcohol, but many cleaning solvents can damage the discs.
  3. Find a jewelry cloth (also known as a jeweler's rouge, or a rouge cloth). A cloth specialized for eyeglasses would also do.[1]
  4. Hold the disk from the sides with your non-dominant hand. Then, gently wipe the disk from the center to the edges, across the radius, using the jewelry cloth. Continue wiping around the disk, from inside to outside, until the entire disk has been cleaned.
  5. Insert the disk into your DVD player. Try to play it, to evaluate if cleaning the disk solved the problem. If it is not repaired, more extreme measures are required.
  6. Rub vaseline on the surface of the DVD. Cover the whole surface, but don't rub it on too thick. The hope is that the vaseline will get into the scratches and minimize their reflectivity.[3] [4]
  7. Remove the vaseline. Use a method similar to what you did when cleaning the disc. It may be useful to use alcohol (even if you didn't when initially cleaning the disc) to help break up the vaseline. Make sure there are no smudges or evident residue left behind.

Tips

  • Store your DVDs in a dark, cool and dry area. Disks that are exposed to sunlight, moisture, and heat are more likely to warp and scratch.

Warnings

  • Do not use these DVD repair methods on a Blu Ray disk. Blu Rays are more scratch resistant, but they are easily ruined with the application of polishing substances.
  • Do not use small, circular motions as you polish. This can create polishing marks that will also interfere with the laser light as it passes to and from the reflective surface.

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.onlinejewelryclass.biz/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/jewelry-polishing-cloth-86404.jpg
  2. ↑ http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/06/11/how-to-remove-scratches-from-cds-and-dvds/
  3. ↑ http://www.slashgear.com/vaseline-can-fix-scratched-cds-0780731/
  4. ↑ http://lifehacker.com/5510888/save-old-scratched-cds-with-vaseline
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