Furniture polish would definitely be cheaper, but just how effective is it removing scratches? The reason that I ask, is because even though some people have recommended using toothpaste, it never worked for me...maybe I was just using the wrong brand, don't know.
furniture polish doesn't remove scratches but fills the scratch with silicon which lasts a few months, never heard of using toothpaste but I have always had good results with furniture polish
Unless you need to keep using the original discs maybe a one to one copy would be a better way to get a scratch free copy ?
No, a copy is not possible at the moment. That is why I need to deal with the scratches. Wouldn't a scratch filled with silicon still distort what the optical drive could copy?
Here you go... try this:
YouTube - How to Remove Scratches From Any DVD
Yes, the idea is to make a lacquer covering clear so the aluminum layer with the pits and lands can reflect the laser. I assume it's common knowledge never to polish in a circular pattern, as that is how the data is laid out (like a record for those who remember). If you polish in a circular pattern, you can obstruct enough of the track to make it unreadable. Whereas a slight perpendicular line would only obscure a small area, allowing the pickup to track to the next unadulterated data bit.
Attachment 142772
Diagram of CD layers.
A. A polycarbonate disc layer has the data encoded by using bumps.
B. A shiny layer reflects the laser.
C. A layer of lacquer protects the shiny layer.
D. Artwork is screen printed on the top of the disc.
E. A laser beam reads the CD and is reflected back to a sensor, which converts it into electronic data
A Guy
Last edited by A Guy; 05 Jun 2011 at 01:24.
Well, I may have joined this party a bit late, but I have had actual results using a high grade automobile polish (specifically, Meguiar's).
I applied it with a microfiber cloth in a radial fashion from the hub to the outside edge. I used very light pressure when applying the polish and also when buffing after it dried. The process was repeated 5 or 6 times.
I had borrowed an imported box set (Blake's 7) from a friend and apparently one of the disks wasn't completely on the hub and got scratched by said hub. Scratched badly enough that the disk wouldn't initialize in a DVD player or computer. After polishing only the damaged area the disk would play perfectly in a computer or standalone player.
Don't know if "microfiber cloth" translates to all cultures, it's the type used for cleaning plastic eyeglass lenses.
Hope this helps.
Kent
I have had some success with Rain - X on discs. Apply it and let it dry, then wipe it off with a cotton T-shirt. Repeat again for good measure.
I actually apply it to every new disc I aquire. It add a nice protective barrier. Then when you're done, you can put some on your windshield. Truly amazing stuff.
I've heard good things about Rain-X too. Supposedly the polymers in it fill in the scratches.
It appears that I have several avenues to experiment with...thanks.
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