success in repairing CD/DVD games?

[RJ]

As mentioned before, my version of "Fatal Frame" doesn't work- the game quits just after playing through the intro- no further. While successfully fixing other games w/ a Disk Doctor, I've tried it on FF several times to no avail. A store clerk once told me about a repair gel that "fills" the scratch(es), effectively resurfacing the disc & making it playable. Anyone know of/had success w/ this stuff? I sure would like to play "fatal Frame" again...

[WiseSalesman]

I make no guarantees, but this saved my Ace of Base CD from an extremely deep scratch (and gave me something to test it on).......

It's an old jeweler's trick....mix up a solution of toothpaste and water until it's fairly liquid-y. Now rub iit in small circles around the surface of the CD, fairly evenly. Rinse the compound off with water, and the CD shoud look shiny and like new. If you're lucky, it will play. There's also a small chance that you can scratch it worse than it already is so be careful.

[jonjandran]

There are a lot of places now that will professionally re-surface a cd or dvd for you. It cost about $4.00 and it works on most any scratches as long as you can't see through it. I've used this many times and it's always worked.

[geelw]

the MAIN problem with those resurfacing machines is that they can do more harm than good in the long run. you just can't strip a layer off every time a disc doesn't work without having to buy a new one eventually, and $4 for one CD is a bit pricey, even if it works. i ONLY use perma-spin liquid, have done so for at least 2 years after trying a few things, and it works every single time. not spam, but go to www.exlumen.com , and see for yourself...

[jonjandran]

the MAIN problem with those resurfacing machines is that they can do more harm than good in the long run. you just can't strip a layer off every time a disc doesn't work without having to buy a new one eventually, and $4 for one CD is a bit pricey, even if it works. i ONLY use perma-spin liquid, have done so for at least 2 years after trying a few things, and it works every single time. not spam, but go to www.exlumen.com , and see for yourself...

i've used them several times and i fail to see how they can do more harm than good. All my games worked perfectly afterwards and as long as you don't scratch them all up again, they stay perfect. And $4.00 to fix a good game that cost $50.00 new is an awesome deal. So please explain....... :hmm:

[geelw]

a bottle of perma-spin is $13, and it does an average of 500 CDs. more if you're good (and as you use it, you get better at using it). that's a lot less than 4 bucks a pop... :hmm:

[FABombjoy]

I've had success in removing scratches from CD/DVDs with a Dremel polishing wheel/automotive clearcoat polish, and an upside-down random orbital buffer with a wool bonnet/Meguire's #2 polish. Buff out the deep scratches with the dremel, and resurface with the buffer. It's tricky though. One wrong move with the dremel & you burn a hole through the disc. One wrong move with the buffer and the disc flies across the room at 100MPH & smashes into 1000 pieces.

In addition to the potential for damage to discs, yourself, pets, and bystanders, both of these techniques will create a horrible mess as polsihing compound flies everywhere. I only recommend this procedure if you're insane.

[WiseSalesman]

In addition to the potential for damage to discs, yourself, pets, and bystanders, both of these techniques will create a horrible mess as polsihing compound flies everywhere. I only recommend this procedure if you're insane.

LOL

[wberdan]

i have a near perfect solution to this- dont buy scratched discs in the first place.

willie

[bargora]

i have a near perfect solution to this- dont buy scratched discs in the first place.

willie
Ah, very good idea. But every once in a while you wake up with a hangover and you find that your Klonoa disc has somehow slipped under your DDR pad shortly before a vigorous session. Or something like that.

I'm being told I don't have permission to get into the exlumen.com web page. When I google perma-spin, I get a link to perma-spin.com, which wants to sell me perma-spin (AS SEEN ON TV) for 19.95. Is it the same stuff? The web site says that perma-spin (and perma-wipe, etc.) are registered trademarks, but I don't see a registration at the Trademark Office's web site, which makes me go :hmm: .
Anyway, what gives? And perma-wipe sounds like an insult to me. :bareass:

[RJ]

@wberdan- no one said ANYTHING about buying scratched discs...it was $50 brand-new, & I admit I damaged it, but poetic justice aside, I'm still allowed to fix it.

I posted hoping that someone who has used this "gel" or other repair solution could let me (us) know if it works. There's no way I'm gonna use a Dremel rotary tool (or other power tools) to fix a CD, & I'm apprehensive about paying some "place" to do it for me for any amount.

@geelw- is Perma-Spin available in stores?

[IGotTheDot]

I have tried to have 2 Dreamcast games repaired and both still do not work. I didn't even try to do them myself.

I am saving my scratched cds and DVDs for a future technology. Kind of like cryogenics for games.

[Buyatari]

I just ordered a second CD resurfacer machine for the store. Its not cheap $500.00 but it works very well.

There are 3 different sponges.

1- sandpaper
2- polish
3- fine polish

The sandpaper is only used when the cd is actually scratched so bad that you can catch you fingernail in it. The #2 poished is usually the only one I use. Usually 2 mins and its done. The fine polish is required on all DVDs or if you just want it to look nice and new.

CDs are basically a plastic disk. The silver coating which goes on top has all the data stored on it. If you scratcg the top of the disk there is nothing you can do. The data has been effectively removed. This is why Blockbuster and other rental places often place a protective shield on the top of the disk.

For fun take an AOL freebie disk and take a key to the top. Now flip it over and look at the bottom. If your cd has a scratch on the bottom and the exact same scratch on the top there is nothing you can do the data is gone.
But if its on the bottom you just have to make the plastic smooth again.

Adam

[RJ]

There is no deep/visible scratch on my disc. I used a Game Dr. to go over it quite a few times, but the manual said too many times would ruin it for good. I have had success this way fixing Midnight Club & TimeSplitters.

The gel, anyone?

[jonjandran]

I've had success in removing scratches from CD/DVDs with a Dremel polishing wheel/automotive clearcoat polish, and an upside-down random orbital buffer with a wool bonnet/Meguire's #2 polish. Buff out the deep scratches with the dremel, and resurface with the buffer. It's tricky though. One wrong move with the dremel & you burn a hole through the disc. One wrong move with the buffer and the disc flies across the room at 100MPH & smashes into 1000 pieces.

In addition to the potential for damage to discs, yourself, pets, and bystanders, both of these techniques will create a horrible mess as polsihing compound flies everywhere. I only recommend this procedure if you're insane.

I use this technique all the time and it works most of the time. Also a foam pad will " cut " deeper getting out those tougher scratches. Sometimes I'll use 1000 grit sandpaper and wet sand the deep ones first and then polish them.
Oh and one tip. Put the polish on the cd with a rag first and then it won't fly everywhere. LOL
Also about the comment that after resurfacing Dreamcast games still wouldn't work. They are by far the hardest to fix. Out of 8 that wouldn't work only 1 was fixed by resurfacing for me. But with playstation games I'm at 100%.