# Removing skips from CDs

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-skips-from-cds/100327>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 27, 2002, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-skips-from-cds/100327 "2002-03-27T04:31:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2002, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-skips-from-cds/100327/1 "2002-03-27T04:31:08Z")

</div>

I have a few CDs with skips (lousy CD case in the car, grrrrr) and I’d like to polish them out if possible. Has anyone every used one of those CD Skip Remover tools? If they are not an effective method, what is?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![buckgully](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb9ed0/32.png) [@buckgully](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buckgully)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2002, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-skips-from-cds/100327/2 "2002-03-27T06:17:30Z")

</div>

I’ve used a tool called “DVD DR” from [Digital Innovations](http://www.digitalinnovations.com/). I had a DVD and an audio cd that were both badly scratched.

Much to my suprise, it actually worked. It doesn’t look pretty, and it takes quite a bit more elbow grease than you’d think, but it did actually bring my discs back from the dead.

First I practiced on some AOL cds (they are actually good for things other than coasters!).

After running them through the machine, they look hopeless. Then you buff it with a little (included) polishing pad, and eventually they shine up and work fine, though they’re a little cloudy, I don’t think it’s possible to ever make them look new again.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![galt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@galt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galt)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2002, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-skips-from-cds/100327/3 "2002-03-27T08:29:25Z")

</div>

For what it’s worth, I’ve successfully used the “buff out scratches gently with a dab of toothpaste and some water” method. The toothpaste acts as an abrasive. I’m not sure if the more abrasive baking soda toothpastes would work better or worse, but I was using regular toothpaste (can’t remember what brand, but it was probably crest).