How To Fix a Scratched CD: CD Scratch Repair

These days, while most of us are putting all our music from our CD collection onto MP3 players, we are finding that our old compact discs are not faring so well with the years. Smudges, scratches and spots can make a once loved musical CD unlistenable, much like a perfectly intact Michael Bolton CD. Even if it looks like there is a lot of damage to a CD's surface, there may be an easy fix that can have you back listening to your favorite worn out CD in no time. You can fix scratched CDs at home, so let's get started on these CD repair tips.

Here's how to repair a scratched CD.

• Burn a new CD. Before attempting to repair a scratched CD, try burning a copy of it. One CD burner may be able to read the information off of an old scratched CD while another one can’t. Burn a new clean copy. It’s certainly worth a try.
• Try another CD player. Test the CD in a different CD player, such as a car stereo or in a CD slot of a different computer. Often a scratched CD will play in one CD player and not another.
• Find the scratches. Hold your CD up to the light and check it from different angles. You can really see the scratches in the surface this way. If you only have one scratch or there are a few scratches in the same area of the CD, try to focus on these areas when cleaning the CD so you won't risk scratching any good, unscratched surfaces.

Before you go further, it helps to know how a CD works. A compact disc is like a record album. It plays in a spiral motion but is read from the center to the outer edge. Where a record player uses a stylus, a CD player uses a laser that reflects off the pitted surface to read the disc. If something redirects the beam, the CD skips. A scratch that runs from center to the edge isn't as bad as one that runs parallel with the track. The worst, however, is a scratch that is on the side of the CD that displays the label. The underside of this label is like a mirror off of which the laser reflects. If this mirror is damaged in any manner, you are most likely out of luck.

• Gently clean your CD. Some of the "scratches" may actually be smudges (from handling) or some other kind of spot. Know how to clean a CD before moving forward. Take a damp, lint free cloth (like the little microfiber cloths that are used to clean eyeglasses or optical lenses). Start at the center of the CD and wipe to the outside edge in a straight line. Do not wipe in a circular motion.  This should clean off anything that might have soiled the CD and hopefully remove scratches--or what you thought were scratches.
• Polish or wax the CD. As a last resort, you might try polishing the CD with baking soda toothpaste or a metal polish. As crazy as it sounds, a thin coat of liquid car or furniture wax may also work to repair a scratched CD. Be sure to use a soft lint-free cloth as mentioned above. It is possible to damage the CD further so use a gentle, light touch. Rinse the disc with plenty of warm water to remove any residue of toothpaste or polish. Shake it off and let it dry completely. Wipe the CD gently and thoroughly again with a clean soft cloth.
• Get a CD scratch repair kit. Find a CD scratch repair kit that has a liquid repair bottle like this one at Buy.com. There is also a product for sale that is like a handy-wipe but it is strictly for CD repairing. You can find this one via Amazon.com. Either way, use the same method mentioned earlier, wiping from the center of the disc to the outer edge in a straight line. Just rub lightly on the scratch itself. You could also get a disc repair system that polishes the whole disc. CD Clinic (CarolWrightGifts) or the Skip Doctor (HeartlandAmerica) have a product that can resurface CDs. In this process, most all of your scratches get repaired by putting the disc in the unit and spraying it with a special liquid they include. Then, you either turn on the unit or use a handle to spin the disc, depending on which repair kit you bought.
• Pay a professional. Take the CD to a music store or store that rents DVDs. Ask if they can repair the CD for you. Some of these businesses have CD refinishing machines. There may be a small fee of five dollars or less to have them repair your CD.

Now you know how to fix a scratched CD. Whichever way you choose, be careful when handling and storing your CDs. You might be surprised at how much damage a little dust can do to the surface of your discs. Keep them in their protective cases or a holder that uses soft material to back the CD.

 

Required Tools:

• Lint free optical cloth

Caution:

• Do not rub cleaner or abrasive too firmly.