is there any way to fix scratches on DVD?
 

said it all on the title already..
but yea just wondering if there's any methods to that
where one can easily do it at home
I think I used to see some stores selling some products
to fix scratches but haven't seen that in awhile..

Re: is there any way to fix scratches on DVD?
 

Okay this might sound a little weird but this works for me on average 4/5 times.

Get a sauce pan big enough for the dvd to fit in and fill it almost to the top. Bring the water to a boil. Then turn down the heat so it's still boiling but not violently.

Drop the DVD in for 30-45 seconds and then fish out with rubber spatual/tongs.

Pat dry with a cloth and let it sit for half an hour.

Re: is there any way to fix scratches on DVD?
 

I just use "Nu-Finish" brand car wax on my DVDs.

I tested it on a rental disc a few years ago and it works great. Just gently rub the wax on the disc with a soft cotton cloth. Leave it for 3-4 minutes and buff it off with a cotton cloth from the center outwards.

The wax seems to help fill in the scratches that cause it to skip/freeze.

Gives it a nice shiny appearance too!

Re: is there any way to fix scratches on DVD?
 

I always love bringing up this old thread of mine...

Boil it!

EDIT:

I can't believe that was four years ago!!! :eek:

Re: is there any way to fix scratches on DVD?
 

I have one of those special wax pencils that I ordered from a catalog - I use it on both CDs and DVDs. Just draw in or rub in over the cracks, take a kleenex and rub off the excess wax and then you're good to go.

I mostly use it on my scratched up Netflix DVDs.

Re: is there any way to fix scratches on DVD?
 

I didn't think this would work until I tried it a while back and it did, but toothpaste can do the trick. Basically just put the toothpaste on the scratch(es) and use a q-tip to buff it. Then rinse the toothpaste off and wipe the disc with a cloth that won't scratch the disc (like a glasses cloth). The disc may not look brand new on the bottom after doing this but to my surprise it worked!

Also, you may need to do it more than once. The disc that I did had quite a few scratches on it so I could have been doing it to the wrong scratch at first, but after a few times it did the trick. And it's not a bad idea to let the toothpaste sit on the disc for a little bit.

Re: is there any way to fix scratches on DVD?
 

Boil the disc [2]

Re: is there any way to fix scratches on DVD?
 

You never mentioned if the discs aren't working. Or are you one of those people that just don't like scratches?

Re: is there any way to fix scratches on DVD?
 

Blockbuster sells something called scratch out in tubes and as single use wipes.
Can't vouch for it, never used it but we sell a bunch of it.

Re: is there any way to fix scratches on DVD?
 

thanks for the replies guys..
at first I didn't think you guys were serious with boiling and car wax stuffs but it seems to do the job!

TomOpus// I have disc there aren't working (mostly data stuffs) and other dvds with just scratches but works (these I don't touch)

Re: is there any way to fix scratches on DVD?
 

For scratches I use toothpaste, everyone always has some of that lying around right? :) It doesn't look the prettiest, but it works.
The only scratches on my discs are from floaters anyway, which is usually pretty evident where the issue is.

I only boil if I can't see any scratches, in which case I usually suspect dvd-rot. I have fixed a couple discs this way, but only temporarily. They usually end up "rotting" again and having the same issues shortly after. I guess I haven't re-boiled them thoroughly enough yet, but at least was temporarily able to rip them after one of the boils, so I could watch them.

Re: is there any way to fix scratches on DVD?
 

This wokred for me :P

Re: is there any way to fix scratches on DVD?
 

There is a pro quality machine called Simo that sells on ebay for around $127 that will make most discs playable. Caveats: It is QUIRKY, the replacement supplies vary in quality from batch to batch, & dvd's are tougher to make look like new then cd's; but with all that said i highly recommend the machine. I've had mine for a couple years & it's paid for itself many times over. The price is pretty amazing for the unit's quality.

I bought mine direct from the manufacturer in Taiwan, & his support has been pretty good. He now has 1 US reseller (both the retailer & manufacturer sell the unit separately on ebay) & I have no idea what sort of support his reseller gives.

Re: is there any way to fix scratches on DVD?
 

Someone bought this for me today because I was out of CD wipes.

http://www.amazon.com/Audiovox-Surfa.../dp/B001EXDL7G

It doesn't explicitly say that it's for DVDs/CDs, but do you think it will be safe to use to wipe off dust and smudges? On the packaging it says it can be used on eyewear and cameras.

Re: is there any way to fix scratches on DVD?
 

Another advocate for boiling it. That last thread saved me some dough.

Re: is there any way to fix scratches on DVD?
 

I tried the "Boil It!" suggestion on a DVD that I got a light scratch on but caused skipping when I tried to watch the program. It did not work.

Re: is there any way to fix scratches on DVD?
 

I think there's nothing you can do about it...next time just be careful..:)

Re: is there any way to fix scratches on DVD?
 

Boiling does sound a bit risky. I would think you might loosen the glue holding the plastic layers together.

With car wax there's no risk of doing any extra damage. If it doesn't work because the scratch is too deep, you're no further behind.

Re: is there any way to fix scratches on DVD?
 

Best way I know to fix a scratched DVD is to go out and buy a new copy.

Re: is there any way to fix scratches on DVD?
 

I've boiled DVDs and CDs before, and it does work most of the time.

For trying to improve the actual appearance of the disc, I use a mail-away service like Azuradisc (wefixcds). Their rates have gone up a bit, but they have professional resurfacing machines that make the disc look anywhere from 80-95% better, IMO.

I mostly just use this service for when I want to do a buyback. Any other time I have skipping issues, I just boil them.

I've heard toothpaste works somewhat too, as does car polish, but I personally have never used either so I can't vouch for them.

Re: is there any way to fix scratches on DVD?
 

Your post appeared scratched, so I boiled it. Fixed.

Re: is there any way to fix scratches on DVD?
 

I use JFJ Easy Pro I picked off of the bay. About $170-180 but well worth the price if you buy a lot of your stuff used. Has a buffing pad and a sanding pad for the more extreme scratches. I use the buffing method most of the time and it has not failed me yet besides a little learning curve when I first started.

The machine is built like a rock. Solid steel, a 10 sec, 20 sec, 1 min, or 2 min setting depending on the severity of the scratch. As for the cost of the supplies I have yet to buy them so I do not know.

Re: is there any way to fix scratches on DVD?
 

No one answered the question from the "Boil It" link - how does the boiling work with DVDs that skip/pixilate but have no scratches?

And also, when you boil a scratched dvd, do the scratches disappear or are they still there?

Re: is there any way to fix scratches on DVD?
 

I heard this is Glenn Close's preferred way to deal with scratched DVDs.

Good enough for her, good enough for me not to ignore.

Re: is there any way to fix scratches on DVD?
 

I fixed my DVD of Watership Down this way.