How to Fix a Scratched CD GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Streaming > Music, Podcasts, & Audio 35 35 people found this article helpful
How to Fix a Scratched CD
Don't suffer a skipping CD
By Robert Silva Robert Silva Writer San Diego State University Robert Silva has extensive experience in consumer electronics and home theater product sales and sales supervision; he has written about audio, video, and home theater topics since 1998. Robert has articles published on HBO.com and Dishinfo.com plus has made appearances on the YouTube series Home Theater Geeks. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on January 7, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email In This Article
Expand Jump to a Section The Toothpaste Method The Polishing Product Method The Wax Method The Peanut Butter Method The Banana Method CD Repair Kits Although streaming is the most popular way to listen to music, billions of CDs are still being played. Keeping them in good shape is key to their longevity. If a CD skips or freezes, there may be smudges or dirt on the disc. If so, a good cleaning is probably the best course of action. However, if after cleaning, the CD still skips or freezes, it may be scratched. If a CD is scratched, there are several methods you can try that may fix it so that it is playable again. You can use the following methods for fixing scratched DVDs. Option One The Toothpaste Method
What you need: Non-gel toothpaste.Baking soda (optional; can be already in the toothpaste or can be mixed in).Warm water.Wet and dry microfiber cloths. Squeeze some toothpaste (or toothpaste-baking soda mixture) onto the shiny side of the CD where the scratches are visible, not the label side. Then, spread the toothpaste using your finger or a microfiber cloth. Lifewire Spread the toothpaste on the CD radially, from the center out. However, if the CD has circular scratches, use a circular motion (not suggested when only cleaning CDs) to spread the toothpaste. Even if only a small portion of the CD is scratched, coat the entire surface anyway. Lifewire Rinse off the CD under a sink faucet (use a wet microfiber cloth to assist). Lifewire Dry the CD with a dry microfiber cloth (use a radial motion). Lifewire Check the CD for any remaining toothpaste residue and visible scratches. Test the CD in your player or PC's CD drive. Option Two The Polishing Product Method
What you need: A rubbing product such as 3M, Pledge furniture polish, Turtle Wax metal polish, or Novus Plastic CleanerWet and dry microfiber clothsWarm water Although Brasso metal cleaner is often mentioned as suitable polish, it has been reported that the formulation changed, which may do more harm to your CDs than good. Make sure you are in a well-ventilated area to avoid breathing in any fumes from the polishing product used. Apply the polishing product to a dry microfiber cloth. Lifewire Rub the polishing product onto the CD surface using radial strokes with attention to the scratched areas. Use about 10 strokes on each area. Lifewire Rinse off the CD with warm water. Let the CD air dry on a flat surface. Use a microfiber cloth to gently dry off the rest of the CD (use a radial motion). Test the CD in your player or PC's CD drive. Option Three The Wax Method
What you need: A waxing product: Vaseline (petroleum jelly), lip balm, liquid car wax, or furniture waxA dry microfiber cloth This method only provides a temporary solution. Wax scratches with a thin coat of the waxing product you selected (use a radial motion). If there are only a few scratches, you don't have to coat the entire CD. Instead, rub the wax into the areas where the scratches are located. Lifewire Set the CD aside for a few minutes so that the wax settles in the scratches. Wipe the CD in a radial motion with a dry microfiber cloth to remove the excess wax. Also, note the instructions for using the wax you chose, as some need to dry before wiping while others should be wiped off while wet. Test the CD. If it works, make a copy of its contents onto another disc or your PC hard drive for storage or to transfer to another disc, a flash drive, or a cloud service. Once copied, store the disc or discard it. Discarding may be best as the effect of the wax method is temporary. Option Four The Peanut Butter Method
If you don't have the supplies to perform the previous methods, you can use peanut butter to fix a scratched CD. Use creamy peanut butter. The chunky style may damage the CD further. What you need: Peanut butterWet and dry microfiber clothsWarm water Rinse the CD with warm water and dry it off with a microfiber cloth to make sure the surface is free of sticky or loose debris. Place some creamy peanut butter on a different microfiber cloth and spread it on the CD surface using a radial motion (from the center out to the edge). Lifewire Rinse off the CD in combination with a wet microfiber cloth. When using the cloth, use a radial inward-to-outward motion. Once the peanut butter is removed, let it air dry or dry it off lightly with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. Test the CD. Option Five The Banana Method
This is the weirdest method that may work temporarily for minor smudges or scratches. This probably won't work for deeper or extensive scratches. Consider the previously discussed options before trying this one. What you need: A peeled fresh banana (don't throw out the peel)A dry cotton or microfiber clothWarm water or glass cleaner Cut the banana so that one end can be wiped onto the CD surface in a radial motion. Lifewire Use the inside of the banana peel to wipe off the CD surface using a radial motion. Clean the CD further with a dry cotton or microfiber cloth. If residue or particles are still present, use a wet cloth or glass cleaner (lightly) to finish up. Test the CD. CD Repair Kits
If you are cautious about repairing scratched CDs yourself, and you don't mind spending a little cash, you can opt to use a CD repair kit or specific CD cleaning solutions. Depending on the kit or solution, it may both clean your CDs and repair minor surface scratches. Skip Drx Check out Lifewire's suggestions for CD Repair Kits With any of the above solutions, results may not always make a CD playable again. You may still see some scratches. These may be deeper than the outlined methods can repair. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Remove or Replace a Phone's Glass Screen Protector How to Clean an iPad Screen How to Fix a Chromebook Touchscreen That's Not Working How to Clean Headphones and Earbuds How to Fix the Canon B200 Printer Error How to Clean DVDs, Blu-rays, and Video Games How to Clean a MacBook Screen How to Get Rid of Scratches on a Phone How to Clean a Wireless Mouse What to Do If Your Wii Is Unable to Read a Disc How to Clean a Clear Phone Case How to Clean Your Mac's Display How to Fix PS4 Controller Drift How to Clean a Magic Keyboard How to Save Your Wet iPad How to Dry and Fix a Wet iPhone or iPod Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies