# CD "Repair" Kits? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 3, 2011, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cd-repair-kits/566203 "2011-01-03T05:31:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Mama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5ac83/32.png) [@Atomic\_Mama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Mama)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cd-repair-kits/566203/1 "2011-01-03T05:31:35Z")
Mods, if this is in the wrong place, please relocate! I am a volunteer DJ … some of my “vintage” CDs are starting to skip and sound ratty (OK, so I play old blues which sound raggedy, anyway :eek: ) What, if any, CD Fix-Up Gizmos are reliable? FTY, I have been known to play 'em while eating popcorn … Regards, AM CDs go out of print, just like vinyl did/does ☹ I like certain configurations, track sequence, etc. Once these die I don’t know if I can replace them … ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cd-repair-kits/566203/2 "2011-01-03T05:42:13Z")
Some of the used record/CD stores around here will repair them. There also used to be a product called CD Doctor (I think). Both of them worked with mixed results. Certainly worth a try. Have you tried cleaning them? Soap and water, dry with a lint free cloth from inside to outside (as opposed to concentric circles). ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cd-repair-kits/566203/3 "2011-01-03T05:45:39Z")
A basic CD resurfacing machine works pretty well. These polish the polycarbonate layer, removing most minor scratches and smudges. They are available at most electronics stores and can be used many times on a particular disc. A basic way to tell if a CD resurfacer can help - hold the disc up in front of a bright light. If you can see light anywhere through the disc (other then the center hole, of course) then the disc is irreparably damaged. Otherwise the damage is probably to the polycarbonate layer (not the data layer) and the disc can be resurfaced. ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cd-repair-kits/566203/4 "2011-01-03T05:51:50Z")
Missed my edit FWIW, I use a fairly inexpensive resurfacer - [DVDDr](http://www.amazon.com/10490-Premier-Repair-System-Scratched/dp/B000E0VEVK) It works pretty well. Badly scratched discs take more than one run, but as long as the damage is only to the clear polycarbonate side of the disc you can resurface many times without losing data. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2011, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cd-repair-kits/566203/5 "2011-01-04T13:38:40Z")
Look at your CD, if it has scratches on the label side, it’s 99% likely that you can’t fix it. If the scratches are on the “shiny” side, then you can polish it up. I’ve had success with brasso and a good polish. As others have said, minor scratches can be fixed. Also look at scratch. If the scratch is a straight line you will have an easier time fixing it, than if the scratch is running in a circular pattern. You can rip the CDs with [EAC](http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/) which will tell you the state of the CD. ---
**Author:** ![Terraplane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Terraplane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terraplane)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2011, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cd-repair-kits/566203/6 "2011-01-04T15:06:30Z")
> [@GameHat](#): > > Missed my edit > > FWIW, I use a fairly inexpensive resurfacer - [DVDDr](http://www.amazon.com/10490-Premier-Repair-System-Scratched/dp/B000E0VEVK) > > It works pretty well. Badly scratched discs take more than one run, but as long as the damage is only to the clear polycarbonate side of the disc you can resurface many times without losing data. I’ve used the [cheaper version](http://www.amazon.com/DVD-Classic-Disc-Repair-System/dp/B0015ACUNO/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_1_1) of this for scratched Wii and 360 games and it’s worked great. Whatever you get, be sure to follow the instructions or you can mess up your disc.