Repair scratched CDs and DVDs

In many cases discs can’t be read simply due to an accumulation of dirt, grease and scuff marks caused by careless handling, as in our image. This stops the laser in the CD or DVD player being able to read the data through the transparent plastic layer that’s on the data side of the disc. Luckily, light scratches and abrasions on the data side of a disc can usually be repaired. However, counter-intuitive though it may seem, scratches on the label side of a disc can be more serious and may not be repairable. This is because the layer of the disc that stores the data is actually closer to the surface of the label side than the underside.

The first thing to try when you’re having disc problems ­ even if you think they’re caused by a scratch or scuff mark ­ is a simple clean. Cleaning and lightly polishing the play side of a disc is often all that’s needed. Inexpensive kits, such as Maplin’s CD & DVD Cleaner & Restorer Polish (£4.99 from www.snipurl.com/hstfr), work well, but there are plenty of others. Don’t be tempted to wash the disc with detergent or tap water as you could make the problem worse, or even damage the label side.

The Maplin kit contains a cleaning spray of isopropyl alcohol that should be sprayed onto the play side of the disc (that’s the underside, below the label). You should never use household cleaners or abrasives. After 30 seconds or so the alcohol dissolves grease and grime, and you then simply wipe it off with the supplied circular chamois pad. Alternatively, use a clean, dry lint-free cloth. It’s very important to wipe the disc from the centre to the outside ­ don’t wipe it in a circular motion as this can make matters worse.

If cleaning doesn’t fix the problems, polishing is the next stage. The Maplin kit contains polish plus an application cloth and chamois. Apply a few drops of the polish and rub it in radially with the cloth, let it dry and then buff the disc with the chamois. This will restore most light scuffs and abrasions. For deeper scratches you might need to resort to a cleaning tool, such as the Skip Dr (around £20 www.snipurl.com/hzsL9). This is a contraption that uses distilled water and a special resurfacing wheel that rubs the disc radially.

After spraying the disc with the cleaning fluid, pop it into the Skip Dr and turn the handle clockwise until the disc has turned through a complete revolution. Take it out, spray it again and repeat the process. Afterwards take the disc out and dry it with the micro-fibre cloth provided. You need to use the small buffing pad supplied to polish the disc. When buffing, make sure the disc is resting on a clean, soft surface. If the disc is badly scuffed you might need to repeat this process.

If none of these tips works, it’s time for desperate measures. Believe it or not, Brasso metal polish might just work, although it’s a bit smelly. Using either the wadding version or liquid with a soft cloth, rub the offending scratches with Brasso in a radial direction from the centre of the disc until they smooth out. Let the Brasso dry before polishing it off with a micro-fibre cloth. If you can feel a scratch with your nail, then you probably won’t be able to fix it.