Removing scratches on audio CDs.

[klmok]

I bought a number of CDs from the public library clearance bin that
have smearlike scratches, ie. not deep. I will like to remove these
using BRASSO a metal polish. Can this be done and not affect the read
data? I use BRASSO to remove sawmarks (emery paper polished first) on
plexiglas.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Dave D]

"klmok" <klmok@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:3f199352.58752421@shawnews.ed.shawcable.net...

I bought a number of CDs from the public library clearance bin that
have smearlike scratches, ie. not deep. I will like to remove these
using BRASSO a metal polish. Can this be done and not affect the read
data? I use BRASSO to remove sawmarks (emery paper polished first) on
plexiglas.

Thanks in advance.

If the CDs play OK, leave them well alone. Most audio CD players handle
fairly bad scratches OK although your computer's CDRom might trip up.
Polishing can lead to concavities in the surface of the CD which may affect
the laser, only polish the scratch until the disc plays OK, go no further.
IOW, don't try to get the CD cosmetically perfect.

Dave

 

[Jim Adney]

On Sat, 19 Jul 2003 17:49:42 GMT klmok@shaw.ca (klmok) wrote:

I bought a number of CDs from the public library clearance bin that
have smearlike scratches, ie. not deep. I will like to remove these
using BRASSO a metal polish. Can this be done and not affect the read
data? I use BRASSO to remove sawmarks (emery paper polished first) on
plexiglas.

I's start with mild soap and water to just make sure that what you're
seeing isn't just dirt or grease.

If that doesn't work, I know that there is a small hand driven machine
you can buy for about $35 that will polish these. I know our video
rental place uses them, and sells them, too. This might be a
worthwhile investment if you have a lot of poor disks.

The brand MAY be Diskwasher.

-
-----------------------------------------------
Jim Adney jadney@vwtype3.org
Madison, WI 53711 USA
-----------------------------------------------

 

[Mike Berger]

Brasso will destroy the CD. Use toothpaste. Buff the scratched area
gently from the center outward, not radially. The disk will look very
polished in that area, but should work well.


klmok wrote:

I bought a number of CDs from the public library clearance bin that
have smearlike scratches, ie. not deep. I will like to remove these
using BRASSO a metal polish. Can this be done and not affect the read
data? I use BRASSO to remove sawmarks (emery paper polished first) on
plexiglas.

Thanks in advance.

 

[John]

"Mike Berger" <berger@shout.net> wrote in message
news:3F1C130B.DA15C807@shout.net...

Brasso will destroy the CD. Use toothpaste. Buff the scratched area
gently from the center outward, not radially. The disk will look very
polished in that area, but should work well.


klmok wrote:

I bought a number of CDs from the public library clearance bin that
have smearlike scratches, ie. not deep. I will like to remove these
using BRASSO a metal polish. Can this be done and not affect the read
data? I use BRASSO to remove sawmarks (emery paper polished first) on
plexiglas.

Thanks in advance.

I used Brasso and it worked fine. Even better use Jewellers Rouge and
water, this will give you a very fine finish. Or you could use talcum
powder and a little water. I found toothpaste too abrasive. If you use
Brasso, make a copy of the CD just in case but I have not had a CD fail that
I'd given the Brasso treatment.

 

[Asimov]

"gothika" wrote to "All" (22 Jul 03 04:31:02)
--- on the topic of "Re: Removing scratches on audio CDs."

Just my 2 cents but a cd has the information stored in the metal layer
between the clear plastic and the top printed label. This means that the
only requirement for the plastic is for it to be as clear as possible.
The laser is quite forgiving. A scratch is a semi-opaque gouge in the
plastic which scatters the laser light. What is needed to do then is to
make this opaqueness become clear again. The simplest product I've found
that does this is gentle spray-on furniture wax. I apply it then lightly
buff to a clear shine and the disk usually plays fine after that. The
idea of grinding the plastic down to the level gouged out by the scratch
is rediculous! Do you keep grinding it each time there is a scratch
until there is no more disk?! The idea of using a metal cleaner on
plastic is simply nuts because it is likely to make the scratches even
more opaque because of residue!


go> From: gothika <gothika@earthlink.net>

go> Give it time. Brasso ischock full of ammonia.
go> It WILL craze the plastic surface.
go> The only reason I can think of it not screwing it up right away is you
go> didn't leave it on there long enough for it to craze it right away.
go> If you used brasso on a cd it's only a matter of time before you get
go> damage to the cd.
go> The ammonia and petroleum distillates in the brasso had to have a
go> detrimental effect on the resins in the plastic. It's called leeching.
go> It's just like the effect UV has on all plastics, it leeches the
go> oils/resins out of the plastic over time.
go> Chemicals that are antagonistic to plastic will have a detrimental
go> effect.
go> It may take time, but you will see it.


.... Is reactance then illusory? No, it just appears that way...