CD wont play because of too many scratches?

[k-highway]

Fix Scratched CD's Guide

by k-highway aka Vito Leone

 

Table Of Contents

 

1. Introduction

2. Warnings and precautions

3. How to use

- Applying

- Why Toothpaste Works

4. Other Methods

- Most Effective Way

5. Prevent your CDs.

6. Thanks

 

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Introduction

 

I made this topic some time ago, about fixing scratched CDs. I've been having many problems with many of my old PS2 and PS1 CDs due to mis-use. So, I advise you to keep your CDs in a cover after every use, to maintain the CD intact, and without scratches. If you have a favorite disc that you keep on your videogame all the time, and dont remove it after every play, it will eventually scratch. This is due to over-usage, and that the disc reader is operated by laser, and that laser scratches. The CD will also encounter dust over time. And that dust will turn into scratches.

 

Also, if you think your CD isn't playing but it has no scratches, Open your videogame, VERY carefully, and, with a q-tip, clean the laser eye of the console.

 

Warnings and Precautions

 

I will not be held responsible to CD's broken due to these methods. As I said before, it needs to be done carefully. Not letting the toothpaste dry in the surface or take it off too soon. There are other methods that I've found on google, and suggested by members. They're listed above. Don't blame me if your CD f*cks up. I've warned you.

 

 

How To Use

 

Alright. Let's get started. You usually wont need to buy anything for this method. It's effective on minor scratches, and can be done as many times as you want. This is what you will need.

 

One scratched CD

About a finger of toothpaste

Three q-tips, or

A very clean rag

 

Applying

 

Pass the q-tip on the toothpaste. Then rub the q-tip in the reading part of the disc until half of the toothpaste is gone. Then get the clean rag and rub the disc until the disc is shining. Repeat this until all the toothpaste is gone. Make sure NO toothpaste is left on the reading part of the disc. Now, insert the CD to your video game console. If the CD still refuses to work, repeat the action, or try another method.

 

This works in minor scratches as I've mentioned. I've tried it with about 20 CD's. But be careful with your CD's people, don't leave them out of the case, and don't let your little brothers use them. They will scratch it and blame you for being mad at them.

 

- Why the toothpaste works

 

It's the baking soda in toothpaste that polishes and whitens. Using a paste made of baking soda and a soft cotton cloth, and buffing the bad scratch will help a lot. You must clean the baking soda off the CD before you put it in the disc drive. I was able to repair an unreadable game CD using this technique.

 

Another Ways

 

- Dalpura's aunty's Way

 

Put your scratched CD/s in a freezer with the reading part facing up. Let it there for a couple of hours and take them off. Let them cool down by themselves and insert it DRY into your stereo/video game.

 

- Minor Scratches

 

Use the acrylic liquid cleaner (e.g. Prist) and follow the instructions remembering to only clean from the center to the outside of the CD in single pass wiping motion. Don't spend any amount of time in one spot as the small amount of heat this can generate can distort the thin data metallization of the aluminum film inside. Then you may rinse the CD and dry it by using a dry soft towel. Don't wipe the CD!! Just pad it dry. Then, put it into the CD player so that it will spin and let it run that way for at least 20 minutes so that any moisture in the disc sandwich gets spun out. There won't be enough moisture to do damage to your player.

 

- More Severe Scratches

 

Try the above treatment for minor scratches first. If that doesn't work and your CD is not playable, you already have nothing to lose so you may then proceed with this step. Be extremely careful if you attempt this process!!!!! Practice on an expendable CD first as this method is not easy.

 

Use the Micro-mesh kit. Follow its instructions which tell you to vary the direction of rubbing and polishing. With each grit, always begin rubbing with the circular direction but end rubbing radially (center to outside). Make sure you always end each step working to the outside from the center!!! Only work on the area which is damaged. After each grit, go to a finer polish and slightly overlap the preceding area. Keep doing this until you have finished using the finest polish. Don't ever apply a lot of force or push down hard on the CD. Don't work for a long time in one area. The polishing process generates heat which can destroy the disc permanently. When you are through, the disc should look as smooth as glass when held so as to see clear reflections. You may, if required, follow up with the steps above. It helps if you have a hard and very flat surface to work on. Put an unfolded towel down so the CD won't slide around as you work.

 

- With Vaseline

 

Rub the Vaseline on the CD using a Q-tip. Rub the Vaseline off with a soft tissue or a soft paper towel (you must use a soft item). Whatever you do, do not use your T-shirt to remove the Vaseline. This will only create more scratches on the CD.

 

- Orange Soda

 

Pour orange soda on it until it bubbles, then quickly wipe the CD off with a soft cloth in an outward motion from the center.

 

- Sandpaper ()

 

At any local Home Depot, you can find sandpaper. But for this action, you will need a very low grit sandpaper, and a lot of handwork.

 

Ask for a 2000 grit paper, which is very low gritted, so you'll be going for some time doing the cd.

 

After you've passed the sandpaper, apply a polishing liquid and work from inside to out , polishing the surface likely. Clean the surface afterwards with a rag and put in your videogame.

 

If done correctly, it shall work like a charm. If this method doesnt work, your CD's data is corrupted, and I would advise buying a new copy.

 

- Found on Google

 

 

Believe it or not, this really worked. My Gran Turismo 3 CD quit working on me one day. I looked at the back and it had some pretty good scratches. I used 1000 grit sand paper hoping it would work, why I don't know, but we all know that I ruined the CD. I tried a lot of things from rubbing alcohol, to nail polish cleaner, to Rain-x. The CD did not work at all. Finally I decided to try the toothpaste trick. This took the scratches out, including a lot of the deep ones. Low and behold, it worked.

 

The way I did it was like this:

1. Put 1/4 of a pea size amount of toothpaste in the middle (between center and edge) and every 1/4" all the way around.

2. Let it dry. There will be a little residue, like car polish.

3. Rub back and forth from center to edge with quite a bit of force.

4. After all of it is wiped off, take a cloth, similar to the one I used (Crown Royal Bag), and also rub with quite a bit of force the same from center to edge

5. Clean with window cleaner or water to remove the rest of the residue, but be careful not to scratch it again or you have done this work for nothing.

 

If needed; repeat until satisfied. I did this to the 1000 grit sand papered CD only 4 times, and the game now works as if brand new.

 

Good luck to you.

 

Most Effective Way

 

- Hair conditioner

 

To fix the scratches, the best thing to do is use hair conditioner. Rub it with your finger all around the cd, leave it for 10 minutes, and then rinse. Repeat if desired. The coating that makes your hair shiny coats the cd, and it works better than all those expensive tricks.

 

DO NOT

 

DO NOT wipe your CDs/DVDs with a shirt, t-shirt, or any kind of clothes. If your disc needs cleaning, use a soft lint-free cloth (those that you wipe your eye glasses with)

 

Have fun!

 

note: I do not hold responsible for any damage done to your discs or video game/stereo. All of these methods work if your disc is not damaged on the top part (where it specifies what disc it is. Always keep your discs on a case. Never leave them to be, especially with the data part facing down. That'll only cause more damage to the disc. Do all of this all at your own risk.

 

Thanks

 

Thank everyone for reading this. And thanks for the good rating so far!

 

Edited January 11, 2007 by k-highway

[dills]

This looks good highway, I'll have to try this out, I have quite a few scratched CDs, thanks if it works.

[trick_boy]

just get a game doctor there at samgoodys for about $20 last forever and works every time

I have tried the toothpaste thing along time ago but doesn't always work.

[AZAZEL]

 

I don't scratch my CD's. ~az

 

[Platinum.]

I don't scratch my CD's. ~az

Me neither.

 

 

I don't even use CD's really. Good method.

[EmSixTeen]

I don't scratch my CD's. ~az

Likewise, but I used to have house parties every fortnight and lots of my CDs got worn by partygoers, which I hate.

[k-highway]

just get a game doctor there at samgoodys for about $20 last forever and works every time

I have tried the toothpaste thing along time ago but doesn't always work.

Well then, if that doesn't work, might wanna check your video game's "eye" as they call it. It might be unfocused. So if you wanna try this out (at your own risk of course) open your video game (well actually works best with ps1 and ps2) and get a dry clean q-tip. Rub it VERY gently in your video game's len/eye. Try the game. If that still doesn't work, the problem is this: your CD has a huge scratch and trust me, even sending to a game doctor wont work. This is something I've done for about 3 years and in every single CD it worked.

 

 

EmSix, that sucks. That's why I always use copied CD's in parties.

[SirJeth]

You don't send to a gamedoctor... lol.

It's a item you use to fix scratched games.

[Concept.]

Would this work for PS1 games too? I havn't got to play dear old Driver 1 for years.

[Mayhem-]

just get a game doctor there at samgoodys for about $20 last forever and works every time

 

who would want to pay 20$ when you can do this for free? the things used are common household items.

 

 

nice job highway, ill try this out later.

[Oogie]

may i ask what were you thinking when you applied toothpaste on your cd's for the first time ?

[Mayhem-]

may i ask what were you thinking when you applied toothpaste on your cd's for the first time ?

Someone probably showed him how to.

[Dalpura]

 

may i ask what were you thinking when you applied toothpaste on your cd's for the first time ? 

It's a common thing. Toothpaste works like a very high-grit sand paper (>3000) or say, wax/cutting compound. It's been a common thing using toothpaste like this on DVDs/CDs for a while, and it does work.

 

My aunty swears you can get a scratched disc working again by putting it in the freezer for a couple of hours also. Don't know about that one, and I've never tried it because I don't really have any scratched discs. Anyone tried or know about that one?

[Trows]

may i ask what were you thinking when you applied toothpaste on your cd's for the first time ? 

It's a common thing. Toothpaste works like a very high-grit sand paper (>3000) or say, wax/cutting compound. It's been a common thing using toothpaste like this on DVDs/CDs for a while, and it does work.

 

My aunty swears you can get a scratched disc working again by putting it in the freezer for a couple of hours also. Don't know about that one, and I've never tried it because I don't really have any scratched discs. Anyone tried or know about that one?

heh, I could try it

 

[Simon.]

I'm gonna try this with my Age of Empires 2, I never go around to playing it fully. But it got scratched .

[k-highway]

 

Would this work for PS1 games too? I havn't got to play dear old Driver 1 for years. 

This works with every type of CD you can think of. CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD, PS1 CD, PS2 DVD, Xbox DVD, Dreamcast CD, and so on.

 

Dalpura, that's another way of making a scratched cd work. But I've never tried it before either. I'll try this thing out and get back to you guys.

 

::eDit:: First Post updated.

Edited January 1, 2006 by k-highway

[dills]

I just tried the toothpaste method on one of my scratched CDs and it worked! Thanks man.

[k-highway]

 

I just tried the toothpaste method on one of my scratched CDs and it worked! Thanks man.

No problem dilly. That's cool. Now remember to keep your CD in a case always and it won't happen again.

 

Hey Dal, I tried that concept with a CD-R and it worked. Not with the PS2 disc although. Oh and as for the sandpaper, grit sandpaper 1000 is the ONLY one you should use actually. The others will just make the surface sandy.

 

After using the 1000 grit sandpaper, polish the surface, ok guys?

Edited January 2, 2006 by k-highway

[Mr.Mister]

My bro says the toothpaste thing messes your CD up badly. Maybe I can do it with my Doom3 CD. Im sure my computer can handle it but when i insert my second CD while installing it, it just freezes. Should i try the toothpaste thing?

[k-highway]

 

My bro says the toothpaste thing messes your CD up badly. Maybe I can do it with my Doom3 CD. Im sure my computer can handle it but when i insert my second CD while installing it, it just freezes. Should i try the toothpaste thing?

That's a lie. Toothpaste does NOT danificate your disc. I tried it with over 25 discs and they all worked. If that does not work, try the hair conditioner. They're both very effective and will not harm any of your discs in any ways.

 

Although, the toothpaste method is more effective while used in CD's. Not DVD's, actually. Give it a shot at your Doom 3 and show us the results.

 

Here's one I found on Google:

 

 

 

  Believe it or not, this really worked. My Gran Turismo 3 CD quit working on me one day. I looked at the back and it had some pretty good scratches. I used 1000 grit sand paper hoping it would work, why I don't know, but we all know that I ruined the CD. I tried a lot of things from rubbing alcohol, to nail polish cleaner, to Rain-x. The CD did not work at all. Finally I decided to try the toothpaste trick. This took the scratches out, including a lot of the deep ones. Low and behold, it worked.

 

The way I did it was like this:

1. Put 1/4 of a pea size amount of toothpaste in the middle (between center and edge) and every 1/4" all the way around.

2. Let it dry. There will be a little residue, like car polish.

3. Rub back and forth from center to edge with quite a bit of force.

4. After all of it is wiped off, take a cloth, similar to the one I used (Crown Royal Bag), and also rub with quite a bit of force the same from center to edge

5. Clean with window cleaner or water to remove the rest of the residue, but be careful not to scratch it again or you have done this work for nothing.

 

If needed; repeat until satisfied. I did this to the 1000 grit sand papered CD only 4 times, and the game now works as if brand new.

 

Good luck to you.

 

Edited January 2, 2006 by k-highway

[imheretostay]

new bookmark for me

 

What's a q-tip, though?

[Newbie41]

 

I don't scratch my CD's. ~az

Me neither.

 

 

I don't even use CD's really. Good method.

Are you Talking like we are intentionally scratching them or something?

 

Sh*t happens man.. Mine have gotten scratched and i dont even know what did it

 

Im going to try this out on my Gta SA game... cause every so often it goes black and then is says " Disk read Error"

 

You dont know what a Q-Tip is... it used to clean your ears..

 

Go ask your mom for one

[MrLorenzo]

 

  You dont know what a Q-Tip is... it used to clean your ears..

 

Go ask your mom for one

You do know that 'Q-tip' is an American name, don't you?

[imheretostay]

I don't scratch my CD's. ~az

Me neither.

 

 

I don't even use CD's really. Good method.

You dont know what a Q-Tip is... it used to clean your ears..

 

Go ask your mom for one

Well, it probably isnt called a q-tip in danish.

[Black-hawk]

new bookmark for me

 

What's a q-tip, though?

[_-playero-_]

Well I have a couple of audio cds I made some years ago. They are scratched and my SE won't read them... I'll try this...

 

Too bad there is no solution for bad burns...

[ATK]

Thanks for this. My stupid Vice City has been broken for over a year and meraculously this worked. Very very helpful

[dills]

new bookmark for me

 

What's a q-tip, though?

Them's is called "cotton buds" where I'm from.

[_-playero-_]

new bookmark for me

 

What's a q-tip, though?

Them's is called "cotton buds" where I'm from.

Hmm, here we call them "Isopos" or "Aplicadores".

 

 

[k-highway]

So yeah I had 2 ps2 discs not working. I got a 1200 grit sand paper and I rubbed it. Afterwards, went with the brasso to polish. Worked like a charm. Oh and thanks for the comments guys.

 

::eDit:: First Post updated

Edited January 4, 2006 by k-highway