MacGyver Tip: Fix scratched CDs with toothpaste

[Jared Moya]

If you’ve ever owned a CD or DVD, you’ve certainly had to deal with scratched up, unreadable media. Hardware Secrets has a simple solution:

a scratched CD can be recovered by polishing its plastic surface. If, after carrying out the above cleansing, the CD persists in giving reading errors, just polish the CD with toothpaste. That’s right, toothpaste. It works wonders, and you won’t spend a fortune buying professional cleaning kits.

http://www.lifehacker.com/software/scratchedcd.jpg

Having learned this trick in college, I can vouch for it. Don’t expect to recover your most damaged CDs, but you certainly can work a little magic. Anyone else have any good CD repair tips that work for them? Let us know in the comments or at tips at lifehacker.com.

READ ARTICLE (http://www.lifehacker.com/software/cds/macgyver-tip-fix-scratched-cds-with-toothpaste-155741.php)

[Krell]

Mostly a big waste of time, but for what it's worth, mixing extra baking soda with the toothpaste helps, but youll never get it shiney again. Auto polish such as Dupont #7 and rainx works well too.


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[shawners]

People need to take better care of their stuff. All my cd/dvd are in a binder with plastic sleeves and I dont loan them out. I remove them from the drive and back safely. Never lay it around to get scratched. If people want to borrow a cd/dvd. Ill make them a copy.

[zarquon]

Pointless, its effect is negligable. Just backup your cds.

[black_magiic]

I always thought rubbing them up and down with a nice big ol' magnet did the trick :o)

[zarquon]

No thats how to fix a hard drive :)

[black_magiic]

oh right... my bad :P

[nightshadow]

I personally do not recommend this tip even though I have seen it work.
I've seen it ruin more discs further due to improper application than the few it has helped, not saved.
It is not as simple as it seems. If you are going to do it choose your toothpaste and polishing items carefully. Also use the toothpaste sparingly and do not bend or flex the disc much in the process as damage to the actual written layer may occur after which there is no chance of repair.
This trick actually works better for pressed dvds and cds than it does for cdr/dvdr.
As others have suggested prevention and multiple back ups are a far better cure to the problem.

[zarquon]

Yes, be sure to use menthol toothpaste as this works better than regular paste. Also triple action toothpaste will provide an impenetrable protective layer in case you decide to play frisbee while flossing.

[Potato]

I wonder what Richard Dean Anderson thinks of his old character's name being used for this. Maybe he's smiling from Stargate.

[Mels_Smileys45]

I wonder what Richard Dean Anderson thinks of his old character's name being used for this. Maybe he's smiling from Stargate.



He's not on Stargate anymore. So I stopped watching it.

[mfgbypooter]

Rubbing KY jelly around the hole will fix it right up too.

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[Mels_Smileys45]

Which hole?

[Jared Moya]

Yes, be sure to use menthol toothpaste as this works better than regular paste. Also triple action toothpaste will provide an impenetrable protective layer in case you decide to play frisbee while flossing.

What about the kinda with "tartar control?" I heard it wards off DRM installs...............:P


Rubbing KY jelly around the hole will fix it right up too.

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Now thats just rickin fridiculous...........:drunken_s

[Mels_Smileys45]

I rubbed the KY all around the CD rom opening and the cd slid in real easy like but it didn't seem to help, it may even be alot worse. What did I do wrong?

[Digital Bliss]

Doesent work nuff said

[Mels_Smileys45]

I heard praying was a good quick fix.

[Auggie2k]

Hmm, so toothpaste not only cures spots, pimples, and cleans shoes not to mention clean your teeth but it also cleans scratched CD's.

That's some mighty paste. Wonder if it can cure cancer?

[kokanezub]

use a torch to melt the scratches together.works every time

[physics223]

Toothpaste does cure pimples. I think it can cure cancer as well. You just wait for my study to come out. lol

[mfgbypooter]

I've used toothpaste to patch nail holes in walls.

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[zarquon]

Toothpaste is also good for nettle burns.(True)

[Charles Dexter Ward]

I have not used this technique on a CD/DVD but it dose work on plastics in returning them to clarity. When working with plastics after cutting, shaping, or forming what ever the process you want it back to clear right. So you wet sand progressing to finer and finer grits ending with 1600. Then break out the toothpaste and cloth. My best results have bee with Pepsident and a piece of flannel cloth. Pepsident has just the right amount of grit, gels are no good. The flannel cloth is soft enough not to scratch what you’re polishing and holds the toothpaste well. Fold up (at least over once) your cloth 1 to 2 inch square dampen with water. Put a pea size of paste on the cloth and start a rubbing. Circular motions are not good in any case because you want to cross over previous passes at 90 degrees.
For all nay sayers you’re not doing it right. It dose work and how do you think plastic gets polished, it magically just happens. For the brave who try this patience is the word. You mite find glazing compound works as well. Glazing compound is for polishing paint as in you’re auto. You can find it at auto parts stores or paint supply stores. Or maybe 20 bucks on that polishing kit is worth it??

[Krell]

Then I suggest you try toothpaste on a CD\DVD before you make recomendations.

As previously stated the rubbing compounds work better than toothpaste with baking soda. You need some commercial polishing machine if you want to resurface a DVD in your lifetime.


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[mfgbypooter]

maybe some brasso and a floor buffer?

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[Krell]

brasso doesnt work well, im telling you, i tried DOZENS of processes!!


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[YWD67]

I have had success with minor scratches by using Armor All wipes and letting it dry. Then I use an eye glass cleaning cloth to buff the CD. Works fine on those hair line type scratches that cause skipping and stuttering.

[Krell]

I have had success with minor scratches by using Armor All wipes and letting it dry. Then I use an eye glass cleaning cloth to buff the CD. Works fine on those hair line type scratches that cause skipping and stuttering.

Agreed, same results as RainX on fine scratches

Jonsons floor wax helps if you try to polish it right when you apply


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[mfgbypooter]

For a temp fix I wonder if a liquid polymer car polish would work, I say temp since it wouldn't resurface the disc only fill in the scratch.

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[kokanezub]

for lil scratches i just throw the cd and make a new one or back it up if its good,there 35 cents

[Krell]

For a temp fix I wonder if a liquid polymer car polish would work, I say temp since it wouldn't resurface the disc only fill in the scratch.

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Yes, liquid polymers work better if very warm when applied, but can smear the rest of the surface, creating more work than you had to begin with. The same holds true with other materials containing solvents.




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