The Latest Guide to Fixing Scratches on a DVD or Blu-ray Disc

Minor scratches are something that every disk owner is not insured against. Such an annoyance can easily happen to owners of DVDs and Blu-ray discs but fortunately, it does not always mean that the disc cannot be fixed.

There are several tips by which you can restore your drive and get rid of scratches. Below you will find a detailed guide on how to fix a scratched Blu-ray disc or DVD shared by Howly experts and confirmed by users.

[lwptoc]

What To Do with Scratches on a DVD or Blu-ray Disc

Scratches are a common problem faced by users of both DVD and Blu-ray discs. Some scratches may not harm the file but in more serious cases, the disc may never be playable again.

So, before proceeding with the recovery, you need to make sure that the disk is subject to such repair. If the disc contains a lot of rough scratches that let light through, it means that the disc is badly damaged. In such cases, methods for removing scratches may not be effective.

If the disc is chipped, then the following tips may also be ineffective. Therefore, before you start using scratch repair methods, you need to examine your disk for the possibility of repair.

Guide to Fixing Scratches on a DVD or Blu-ray Disc

It is necessary to start with the preparatory stage of work. There are a few things you need to know about before you start the process of fixing scratches on a DVD or Blu-ray Disc.

Verify The Problem

If you are faced with the fact that your disc does not work, you need to make sure that the problem is with the disc and not the player. It is easy to check just with the use of the other disc.

Check Out Scratches on the Disc

After you have made sure that there are no problems with your player, you need to start to check out your disk. This will require bright light, as it allows you to see all the damage. Note:

• If your disk is damaged, then you must first prepare it for the recovery process. To do this, straighten the disk and put it on a flat surface under the press. For example, you can use books. In this position, you must leave your disc for several days.
• If your disc transmits light through scratches, then it is impossible to repair such a disc on your own. This indicates serious damage and data loss.

Use a Soft Material for Cleaning

Below you will find ways to remove scratches at home. Regardless of which method you choose, you will need to prepare materials for cleaning. The main material is soft cloth. Using other materials may cause new damage. For example, you can use eyeglass cleaner or a microfiber cloth.

So, make sure to avoid materials that can create new scratches. For example, paper napkins that at first glance look soft but microparticles of cellulose can scratch the disc. Also, it is not recommended to use materials that contain alcohol since such substances will damage your disc.

Start with Pre Clean Disk Procedure

Carefully clean the surface of the disc from dust, fingerprints, and other dirt. This can be done with a glass cleaner or simply with a dry microfiber cloth.

How to Get Rid of Scratches?

What effective ways can help get rid of scratches after you have cleaned the disc? There are some effective ways to solve such a problem as disc scratches, and they are listed below.

With a Polisher

A furniture polisher can help you deal with issues such as scratches on the disc. How to do it?

• Clean the disc of dirt with a soft cloth or microfiber cloth.
• Apply a small amount of polish to the surface.
• Wipe the disc surface with polish.
• Remove polish with a dry microfiber cloth.

With Magic Eraser

How can an eraser help get rid of scratches? A DRY magic eraser is a good tool that can help get rid of scratches. Here is how to do it.

• Clean the disc with a soft cloth or microfiber cloth.
• Wipe the damaged surface in circular motions.
• Repeat the second step until there are no scratches left.

With a Toothpaste

Toothpaste can also help get rid of minor scratches. To do this, it is necessary to prepare a paste that does not contain any particles and grains. Choose the soft one instead. So, you need to do the following to get rid of scratches.

• Clean the disc with a soft cloth or microfiber cloth.
• Squeeze out a small amount of paste and spread it over the surface of the disk.
• Remove the toothpaste so that neither stickiness nor water remains on the surface.

With Vaseline

Another way to get rid of scratches is to use Vaseline. The consistency of the substance is soft and can help get rid of scratches. Follow the next algorithm of actions when using Vaseline:

• Clean the disc of dirt with a soft cloth or microfiber cloth.
• Apply a small amount of Vaseline to the damaged areas in a circular motion.
• Wipe off Vaseline with a dry cloth or cloth.

What to Do If the Tips Did Not Help?

If the above tips did not help you get rid of scratches on your disk, then most likely the disk is totally damaged. As for the last resort step, you can try using specialized scratch removers, but this option will also be powerless in many cases. So think twice if there is a need to spend money on such removers. As this can be just a money waste in case of serious scratches on the DVD or Blu-ray disc.

The Final Words

With the help of such easy tips, you can try to remove scratches from your disk. Remember that such a procedure should be carried out carefully. The main thing is to check whether the scratches are suitable for such repair. Unfortunately, there are many cases when it is impossible to fix scratches. So, it will be easier to buy the new disc and re-record the data.

Check out: 5 Steps to Take Before Going to a Computer Repair Shop