Reparing scratched CDs

andrewtayloruk · 08-09-2009, 12:06 PM

Hi,

I'm in the process of ripping to lossess a lot of my older CDs. I've come across about 10 that are not ripping because of marks and scratches.

I'm tempted by these repair kits you can buy from Maplins et al. There's one for £14.99 that they claim will be good for up-to 20 repairs. I've already bought replacements for some CDs that I'd lost and one that had a hole in it (not sure how that happened) but I don't want to go out and have to buy another 10 replacements.

Can anyone pass comment on how good these kits are? Are some better than others? Are they all worthless?

Thanks

Andrew

richardlowe72 · 08-09-2009, 12:13 PM

I bought one of these about a year ago for pretty much the same reason as you - to be able to rip some old scratched cd's to my computer.

SkipDr Premier: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

I would thoroughly recommend it - I have not found a cd that I could not rip after running it through this little device.

No idea of best price though just did a quick google to find it.

Good luck!

TylerDurden · 08-09-2009, 12:39 PM

Try toothpaste (google it)

soundstory · 09-09-2009, 7:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewtayloruk

Hi,

I'm in the process of ripping to lossess a lot of my older CDs. I've come across about 10 that are not ripping because of marks and scratches.

I'm tempted by these repair kits you can buy from Maplins et al. There's one for £14.99 that they claim will be good for up-to 20 repairs. I've already bought replacements for some CDs that I'd lost and one that had a hole in it (not sure how that happened) but I don't want to go out and have to buy another 10 replacements.

Can anyone pass comment on how good these kits are? Are some better than others? Are they all worthless?

Thanks

Andrew

It wouldn't fix a hole would it??

andrewtayloruk · 09-09-2009, 10:16 AM

Quote:

I've already bought replacements for some CDs that I'd lost and one that had a hole in it (not sure how that happened) but I don't want to go out and have to buy another 10 replacements

I've replaced some CD's that are lost, and, one with a hole. This cost me about £50; I've got ten more that are scratched to the point of being un-readable, so, rather than spend another ~50 on replacing, I'd like to try and repair.

I'd read about the toothpaste trick but I can't see it working. Anyone got any first hand experience of it?

It's a bit frustrating because I always take care of my stuff, but, people borrow things and don't always take as good as care as I would.

Thanks for the replies

Andrew

Davieboy00 · 09-09-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewtayloruk

I'd read about the toothpaste trick but I can't see it working. Anyone got any first hand experience of it?

Not toothpaste but Brasso. Again Google it. Works OK on minor scratches but nothing more.

I can also vouch for the SkipDr - had some old discs stored in a box in my spare room with some pretty bad scratching - worked on every one of them

soundstory · 09-09-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davieboy00

Not toothpaste but Brasso. Again Google it. Works OK on minor scratches but nothing more.

I can also vouch for the SkipDr - had some old discs stored in a box in my spare room with some pretty bad scratching - worked on every one of them

Exactly but it's not going to fix holes !!

Davieboy00 · 09-09-2009, 1:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundstory

It wouldn't fix a hole would it??

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundstory

Exactly but it's not going to fix holes !!

Very true. I thing those get filed in the bin.

KoThreads · 09-09-2009, 2:30 PM

Tried various brands of toothpaste and none worked. Brasso fixed one minor scratched disc. But two discs i lent out came back with scratches no kit would fix. Luckily i replaced them for a few quid each. I won't buy any repair kits again.

andrewtayloruk · 10-09-2009, 6:52 PM

Just thought I'd post a follow up.

All CD's are repaired and ripped.

I went to Maplins at lunchtime to check out the repair kits. They had SkipDr but it was 40.00, twice the price of Amazon. They also had a 'ProSmart' device which came with a PSU, was 25.00 reduced to 15.00; I thought I'd give it a go.

One CD repaired straight away, the others didn't seem to work. I tried them a couple of more times without the polishing solution (just used the sander disc) and they've worked. To be honest, I was amazed. I'm not sure if they just take a few spins around to do the business, but, I've persevered and it seems like money well spent.

I was skeptical but I've been proven wrong; I'm not sure if it would work every time but for 15.00 I've rescued 60.00+ worth of CDs.

Thanks again

Andrew

pwiles1968 · 12-09-2009, 10:39 AM

T-Cut Or a cutting polish fro deep scratches, I use Auto Glym Paint remover, it is a polish with very fine cutting agent (Aluminium oxide powder), don't over do it but a good polish of the scratched area with a soft cloth often does the trick. You are basically removing some of the plastic down to the level of the scratch. I also have a skip doctor for allover fine scratches.