# can scractched CDs be fixed? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 7, 2001, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scractched-cds-be-fixed/48826 "2001-01-07T06:16:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![riserius1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7ab992/32.png) [@riserius1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/riserius1)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2001, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scractched-cds-be-fixed/48826/1 "2001-01-07T06:16:09Z")
I have heard from various sources that if a CD is scratched it can be fixed by rubbing toothpaste on it. I have also heard others say, “Yer screwed!!!” So, which is it? Can scratched CDs be fixed? and if so, HOW??? Chris W ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2001, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scractched-cds-be-fixed/48826/2 "2001-01-07T06:57:44Z")
Depends on the depth of the scratch. If light you can possibly buff it out with some light abrasive like toothpaste. If the scratch is deeper, you are, as you so eloquently put it “screwed”. ---
**Author:** ![matt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@matt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2001, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scractched-cds-be-fixed/48826/3 "2001-01-07T06:58:01Z")
I don’t know about toothpaste. There is a clear CD polish which contains a wax with the same refractive index as the polymer in the CD. In theory it should fill scratches and transmit the light without distortion, “repairing” the CD. Having said that, I’ve tried it a couple of times without success! It’s also a little worrying to think about putting a waxy CD into, say, your CD rom drive. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2001, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scractched-cds-be-fixed/48826/4 "2001-01-07T07:26:29Z")
I bought a gadget at Frys (a local computer store) that fixes most scratched CDs. It looks like an oversized manual can opener with a crank on the side. You put the CD in it, hold it in one hand and turn the crank. The crank slowly rotates the CD and buffs it with a light abrasive. I’ve only used it 3 times, but each time it worked great. You may want to check your local computer place. It cost maybe $15. ---
**Author:** ![BooBoo316](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e0b2c6/32.png) [@BooBoo316](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BooBoo316)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2001, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scractched-cds-be-fixed/48826/5 "2001-01-07T10:10:20Z")
It depends on the depth of the scratch. There are several products to fix minor scratches. I don’t remember any brand names right now, but you can go to almost any cd or computer shop and they can show them to you. It also matters how it is scratched. It is easier to fix one that goes up and down (towards the center of the disc) than one that goes sideways (around the disc). If a scratch goes through the plastic down to the surface of the disc (where the data is written) then you probably are well and truly screwed. Hope this helps. Michael ---
**Author:** ![Usurer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/2acd7d/32.png) [@Usurer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Usurer)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scractched-cds-be-fixed/48826/6 "2001-01-08T19:59:53Z")
I bought one of them out of the Musician’s Friend catalog for $30, thinking, “Hey, great, I’ve got all these scratched CDs I’m selling for $3, when I’m getting $6 for non-scratchy ones–I could double my money!” What a piece of junk. I tried it at least a dozen times, and in NOT ONE CASE did it make a CD more playable. It did grind a groovy pattern on the back of the CD which took one’s attention away from the scratches, though. ---
**Author:** ![jonas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/aeb1de/32.png) [@jonas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonas)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scractched-cds-be-fixed/48826/7 "2001-01-08T20:36:54Z")
You can buy a machine for several hundred dollars which takes most scratches out. If it goes through the plastic into the information there is no way you can fix it. But your average scratch will come right out. It takes a lot of practice to get it right and you will melt more than you fix when you first start. It looks like a buffer from a machine shop w/ soft wheels. It’s not for your average person though, more for used CD stores. I don’t remember the name of the company that makes it. Some used CD stores will fix CD’s for a couple bucks. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scractched-cds-be-fixed/48826/8 "2001-01-08T21:19:55Z")
When trying to buff scratches out of the plastic, remember one thing: Circles are bad. A lateral scratch (edge to center) is no big deal. A circular scratch disrupts far more sequential data and causes much worse skipping. All of the cheap handheld CD-buffers I’ve seen damage discs this way. ---
**Author:** ![jonas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/aeb1de/32.png) [@jonas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonas)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scractched-cds-be-fixed/48826/9 "2001-01-08T21:47:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Balance \* > **When trying to buff scratches out of the plastic, remember one thing: Circles are bad.** This is true, even with the professional machine these are just about impossible to get out, and it is more likely to skip. I think they are also caused by cheap cd players. Also I hate those damn plastic pocket cases that people use to save space but end up scratching the hell out of the CD ---
**Author:** ![south333](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@south333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/south333)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2001, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scractched-cds-be-fixed/48826/10 "2001-01-09T01:29:01Z")
i have this cd with a rather large scratch in it. its not one of your minor scratches, but not an incredibly bad one. do the cd fixer things that you find at places like babages work on scratches like that or am i screwed? ---
**Author:** ![evilhanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba8739/32.png) [@evilhanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilhanz)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2001, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scractched-cds-be-fixed/48826/11 "2001-01-09T02:12:20Z")
Here’s a guide to fixing those scratched or scuffed CDs using a cleaner called Brasso: [http://www2.dynamite.com.au/t.mcgee/scratches.html](http://www2.dynamite.com.au/t.mcgee/scratches.html) ---
**Author:** ![absoul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc8723/32.png) [@absoul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/absoul)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2001, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scractched-cds-be-fixed/48826/12 "2001-01-09T02:19:40Z")
Pledge. Non-scented of course. Spray it on. Buff it off. Lather, Rinse, Repeat.