Disc Polishing

[seekermeister]

I have a couple of discs that are scratched in a fashion that prevents some of the videos on them from playing properly, and since I have seen at least one place where you can send a disc to for repolishing, I'm wondering if there is a way for me to do this myself?

Most of the devices that I have tried or read about are really nothing more than cleaning machines. What they call "cleaning fluid" is nothing more than water, with a trace of alcohol to prevent algae from forming.

I do have a Disc Doctor, which kind of abrades the disc surface to reduce scratches, but it leaves it's own scratches in a radial pattern, and too often, the disc is no better off after using it than before.

I have also read that using tooth paste works, but while I admit I only tried it once, I didn't have any success with it either.

Is there something affordable that will truely polish a disc to the original condition>

 

[Ciara]

These are suposed to be quite good (not tried it myself) its a UK link but you may find a US outlet, PM you the link

 

[CyberZeus]

What kind of disc are you talking about?

 

[seekermeister]

These are suposed to be quite good (not tried it myself) its a UK link but you may find a US outlet, PM you the link

No, that is what I already have, though I called it Disc Doctor, rather than Skip Doctor. I have had very little success with it in the past, and I only use it as a last resort, because I feel that the radial abrasion that it leaves is not good.

 

[seekermeister]

what kind of disc are you talking about?

cd/dvd.

 

[stevieray]

You could try a three stage acrylic /plastic polish set, like this one: Novus Acrylic Polish & Scratch Remover Kit w/ 2 oz each of #1, 2 & 3

I haven't used them on cds/dvds, but they work pretty good on other acrylic products. Could be worth a shot. You can do it by hand with a buffer cloth for each grit, or if you've got a random orbit sander, get a pack of buffer pads.

 

[seekermeister]

You could try a three stage acrylic /plastic polish set, like this one: Novus Acrylic Polish & Scratch Remover Kit w/ 2 oz each of #1, 2 & 3

I haven't used them on cds/dvds, but they work pretty good on other acrylic products. Could be worth a shot. You can do it by hand with a buffer cloth for each grit, or if you've got a random orbit sander, get a pack of buffer pads.

That may be worth a shot. I already have the sander and pads, but the problem with that would be how to keep the disc stationary. Do you think that the entire surface of the disc would need polishing, or just the area around the scratches?

 

[stevieray]

I think it would be far easier to just polish the whole thing. Lay the disc on a damp paper towel on a flat surface supporting the whole disc. I wouldn't try holding the disc in my hand and only polishing the damaged area... I think it would be too easy to snap the disc that way.

Make sure the disc is totally free of the polishing compound before it goes into the player; the fine grit in the liquid might damage delicate moving parts.

 

[seekermeister]

It would be easier to polish the whole disc, if one used a sander and pad, as you mentioned, but that would present the problem of keeping it stationary. If one used the hand method, it would be easier to focus on the damaged area, rather than the whole disc, but either way, a flat surface would definitely be best. I was thinking of some particular discs of mine that are still mirror smooth, except in a very small area that has some scratches. Somehow, it seems unnecessary to polish the whole thing, unless focusing on one area would create some kind of distortion in a CD/DVD player reading it.

 

[ickymay]

furniture polish which contains silicon is perfect for this job

 

[seekermeister]

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.

 

[ickymay]

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 ?

 

[seekermeister]

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?

 

[stevieray]

Here you go... try this:
YouTube - How to Remove Scratches From Any DVD

 

[seekermeister]

Here you go... try this:
YouTube - How to Remove Scratches From Any DVD

Yuk, I think that I like your first suggestion better. However, if it works, I guess that is what counts.

 

[A Guy]

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.

View 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

 

[Lava King]

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

 

[electrotune1200]

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.

 

[stevieray]

I've heard good things about Rain-X too. Supposedly the polymers in it fill in the scratches.

 

[seekermeister]

It appears that I have several avenues to experiment with...thanks.