I told an eBay customer of mine to boil the DVD...
12-03-05 | 11:51 PM
#1
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DVD Talk Legend
I told an eBay customer of mine to boil the DVD...
So I sold a Snow White DVD to someone last week for around $21/after shipping, which was damaged as stated in the auction. The case didn't close all the way, the inserts were not included, and the disc itself was scratched, but it did play in the DVD players I tested it in here. I made sure to include pictures, and to say all of this in the auction.
Anyway, they got the DVD, left me positive feedback, but a few days later, they emailed me letting me know that in the one DVD player they tested it in, it skipped about halfway through. They were nice about it, and asked what could be done. I told the person to try it in a few other players, and if it still has problems, well, here is what I replied with:
I thought for sure the person would reply saying that I was insane, demanding a refund (which I would have gladly given, that's no big deal), but instead the sent me this:
Would any of you have suggested the boiling method, or does that seem just a bit too weird? All of what I said is true, it is a well known method that a ton of people use.
I was just amused that the other person didn't think I was insane.
Anyway, they got the DVD, left me positive feedback, but a few days later, they emailed me letting me know that in the one DVD player they tested it in, it skipped about halfway through. They were nice about it, and asked what could be done. I told the person to try it in a few other players, and if it still has problems, well, here is what I replied with:
Ok, let me know when you try it out on a few other players. One of the things you should try, and I know this will sound very, very odd, is boiling it. Just bare with me:
Take a pot of water, put it on the stove, and bring it to a boil. Once you have the water boiling, use something to drop the DVD into the water (data side down), and leave it in there for 2-3 minutes. Then take it out, pat it dry with a very soft cloth (a soft paper towel is fine), and then once it is dry try it in the DVD player once again.
If that doesn't totally fix the problem, you will more than likely see at least some improvement. If it didn't totally fix it, then boil it again 2-4 times, testing it after each time. If this method will work on a DVD, it should fix it by the fifth time at the most...I've never had to do this more than three times to fix any of my problems though.
Like I said, I know this sounds weird, and it sounds like it would damage the DVD, but trust me, it will not. This is a well known method for fixing problems with DVDs with light scratches. I've been using this method for years, and never once has it damaged a DVD of mine.
Take a pot of water, put it on the stove, and bring it to a boil. Once you have the water boiling, use something to drop the DVD into the water (data side down), and leave it in there for 2-3 minutes. Then take it out, pat it dry with a very soft cloth (a soft paper towel is fine), and then once it is dry try it in the DVD player once again.
If that doesn't totally fix the problem, you will more than likely see at least some improvement. If it didn't totally fix it, then boil it again 2-4 times, testing it after each time. If this method will work on a DVD, it should fix it by the fifth time at the most...I've never had to do this more than three times to fix any of my problems though.
Like I said, I know this sounds weird, and it sounds like it would damage the DVD, but trust me, it will not. This is a well known method for fixing problems with DVDs with light scratches. I've been using this method for years, and never once has it damaged a DVD of mine.
Thank You so much I tried the boiling and it worked great. Thanks for the help
I was just amused that the other person didn't think I was insane.
12-04-05 | 12:19 AM
#4
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by Fincher Fan
You're crazy. Boil the DVD? 
I've heard of it too. About ready to try it myself on my LOTR:FOTR theatrical disc. It skips and locks up on several different players just after the fellowship leaves Rivendell. Since I see used copies all the time for cheap, I'm thinking it'll make an okay guinea pig.
12-04-05 | 12:29 AM
#7
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by Rockmjd23
Putting your scratched vinyls in the microwave for 2 minutes does wonders too....or so I hear.
12-04-05 | 01:36 AM
#11
DVD Talk Legend
God I remember the rash of bad Xbox discs that could only be cured with the boiling method. Especially those Official Xbox Magazine discs. It works like a charm if you do it correctly. Got to love DVDs made in Mexico.
12-04-05 | 01:40 AM
#14
DVD Talk Hero
I've boiled a couple XBOX magazine discs and it's worked.
12-04-05 | 05:18 AM
#18
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Good lord! I wonder what this actually does? It sounds suspisciously like it does something to one of the layers by reaching a melting point...
I'd have thought that it did horrid things to the plastics - thermal stress, moisture penetration.
I think I'd use it as a last resort - send scratched discs to a professional service to have the surfaces repolished!
It would be interesting to see whether it worked on those awful DVD-18's though - which are also from Mexico...
Do you bring the water to boiling point, take it off the heat, and then put the disc in, or do you leave the water simmering with the heat on after you've put the disc in - like boiling an egg?
I'd have thought that it did horrid things to the plastics - thermal stress, moisture penetration.
I think I'd use it as a last resort - send scratched discs to a professional service to have the surfaces repolished!
It would be interesting to see whether it worked on those awful DVD-18's though - which are also from Mexico...
Do you bring the water to boiling point, take it off the heat, and then put the disc in, or do you leave the water simmering with the heat on after you've put the disc in - like boiling an egg?
12-04-05 | 05:49 AM
#20
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From: Pensacola
I have done this and it works. I pulled the water off the heating element, and then carefully slid the disc into the water. I waited a few minutes and then emptied the pot into a colander. I dried it using a soft cloth, wiping in straight lines from the center to the edge.
It fixed the disc.
Don’t make a maniac out of me. The band gets shirts.
It fixed the disc.
Don’t make a maniac out of me. The band gets shirts.
12-04-05 | 07:03 AM
#21
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From: Chicago, IL
Originally Posted by TomOpus
I've boiled a couple XBOX magazine discs and it's worked.
I do this very often with the Xbox Demo Discs and it works very well.
This methods is being done for a long time and I'm surprised that everyone hasn't realize it yet.
12-04-05 | 08:01 AM
#23
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CLEANING DVD RECIPE:
1 DVD
2 teaspoons of salt
1/2 garlic clove
Heat water at medium temperature till boil.
Add chopped garlic and salt.
Add DVD to boiling water. Keep on stirring to avoid DVD sticking to pot.
Turn off after 3 minutes. Let cool and play DVD chilled.
1 DVD
2 teaspoons of salt
1/2 garlic clove
Heat water at medium temperature till boil.
Add chopped garlic and salt.
Add DVD to boiling water. Keep on stirring to avoid DVD sticking to pot.
Turn off after 3 minutes. Let cool and play DVD chilled.
12-04-05 | 08:02 AM
#24
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From: Brooklyn, NY
Damn guess Ill have to try this out, I've had my Double Indemnity disc sitting around gathering dust because of a light scratch or 2 that always skips halfway through.
Probably has a similar effect to those professional cleaners.