How To Fix a Scratched CD

This video will show you how to resurface a scratched CD so that it reads in your CD player.

You Will Need

• Metal Polish/Buffing Compound
• A Scratched CD
• Paper Towels
• Tissue Paper

Step 1: Gather Materials

The things you’ll need to accomplish this project are a scratched CD in need of repair, metal polisher, paper towels, and tissue paper.

Step 2: Project theory

The theory is that on CD’s, the data isn’t written on the scratched clear coating, but underneath it. Scratches on the clear coating cause the laser to refract, therefore making the data underneath it unreadable. So this project intends to buff out those scratches.

Step 3: Buff The CD With The Metal Polish

Using the metal polish compound, buff the CD in a circular motion as you would when buffing a car. The deeper the scratches are, the more force you will need when buffing in order to fill in the cracks. Don’t use so much force that it breaks the CD however.

Step 4: Let It Dry

Let the polish compound dry. It should turn to a white residue.

Step 5: Wipe Off Excess Compound

Use the tissue paper to wipe Off Any excess compound. If you want to polish the CD even more, you can use toothpaste to coat the CD and then wipe off the excess.