In the past month I have noticed that 3 of the 20 new dvds I have purchased have an odd stain that wraps its way around the disc. It is a light color (I am a bit color blind so I don't know exactly what color it is, id guess white-ish) These discs play perfectly, but the stains don't come off. The discs were from different stores (walmart and Amazon) and different studios. Does anyone know what these stains are? It is definitely not my fault. I received the discs, opened them, and the stains were there.

I've had this, but was able to clean it off with lighter fluid. I have no idea what causes it, but think it may have something to do with the cases and being stored in an excessively hot warehouse. Like some chemical comes out of those cheap plastic cases when it gets too hot and/or humid.

I too have been curious about it!

is it really a good idea to use lighter fluid?

and should I worry about it or just let it be? will it wreck my discs?

It might be a cosmetic manufacturing defect. A long time ago, I remember reading about uneven coloring on the playing surface of DVDs, and it is caused by the reflective aluminum coating being applied or drying unevenly.

just found it on another disc of mine that was in my collection... what is going on here...

Okay I have found a few people that say they have many discs like this and it is just a cosmetic issue. It won't become worse or unplayable. Something about the binding with the aluminum. Just to be safe, could you guys see if you have any discs like this??? or at least check every time you happen to get a disc out. I feel like one of the only people out there with this issue

I've had some which have some sort of whitish residue that's easily removed with a product like De-Solv-It (like Goo-Gone) and others which have a discoloration on the reflective layer (also a bit whitish). Some of the disks in my collection with this phenomena on the reflective layer are 5 years + in age and still work without issue. I don't have many (a handful out of over a thousand disks) and I was initially concerned but as all continue to play without issue I've gotten to where I pretty much ignore it.

Because of the way in which a DVD is manufactured De-Solv-It, Goo-Gone, Lighter Fluid, etc. shouldn't be an issue as long as the product you use doesn't attack plastic and you follow the solvent with a second cleaning using rubbing alcohol to remove any residue from the solvent. I've also used De-Solv-It on the label side of a DVD (*do not do this on a CD!*) to remove rental stickers and other residue with no issue. If you use another solvent be sure to test the label side on a "junk" disk to make sure it doesn't attack the printing. You'll not hurt the playback layer as it's protected between layers of plastic (unlike a CD on which the aluminum substrate is just below the label under a thin epoxy sealant) but the printing might come off. Just use a soft (microfibre is best) cloth and follow up the solvent with alcohol and you should be OK.

I wish I knew this the other day, I found a cheap Criterion set that had rental stickers on the discs. Would Goo Gone also work?


Edit: to the OP, I don't mean to demean your concerns, but it seems like I've been seeing this complaint since the dawn of the format and I don't recall it ever being linked to playability issues. I think it's been established over the history of the format as a cosmetic issue only.

Im just checking with you guys. a google search of this issue brings up a million Disk Rot pages. and I know that can't be what this is

I've noticed this before, but it's never affected play back so I've just ignored it.

Summer of 2006, I bought both Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger on DVD and both discs, oddly enough, had the exact type stain you're describing. Both played fine with no issues at all and they both still play just fine seven years later. I wouldn't worry about it.

Ditto!