How to Fix a Scratched CD or DVD

There are few things more frustrating than having your CDs or DVDs stuttering and not playing properly. This means you no longer enjoy your favorite classics. The good news is that these problems are not permanent and you can get rid of them. Here is a look at how to fix a scratched CD or DVD.

Preparing your CD for cleaning:

• Inspect the CD: in order to know what you are dealing with you have to inspect the CD for any dirt or scratches. You want to know where the scratches are and just how deep they are. You can clean minor scratches by yourself, but if they are major you may have to get it done professionally.
• Clean any dirt off: in most cases it is just ordinary build-up of dust or dirt that causes the CD to jump. Once you have done this give it another try to see if it works. If it still skips then it needs a proper clean.

Getting down to the dirty work:

1. There are many different things that people use as cleaning agents, so you can use whatever you have around the house. This includes peanut butter, toothpaste, metal polish and disc cleaner.
2. Find a soft cloth and dip it onto whatever solution you are using to clean your disc. Use a pea size at a time and gently polish the disc using the solution.
3. If for some reason you have chosen an abrasive substance you will end up making the scratches worse, so always check your progress as you go along.
4. Take another clean cloth and buff the disc. This should be done from the centre to the outside. Moving in circular motions or tracing the lines around the CD could just damage it further.
5. The next thing to do is to rinse the excess solution that you have used. This doesn’t mean that you should immerse the disc in water. Use a cloth and a small amount of warm water or window cleaner. This will help to get off the excess solution as well as any residual debris.

Avoiding scratches:You don’t have to lose your music or movies because of a scratched disc. Back the information up onto another disc. Be careful when handling your discs and don’t put them face down on surfaces. Carry them with your finger through the centre and not with your fingers on the surface.

Related posts:

1. How to Clean CD’s and DVD’s