i recently bought a 4 dvd set (used, from ebay). one of the four dvds
is unwatchably scratched and before i go back i thought i'd check out
the cleaning technology. I used a kit on my system (the "discwasher"
by reconton corp) just in case it was my system. then cleaned the disk
the best i knew how using disk restore liquid by discrestore corp.) It
didn't work. someone told me there's "new  technology" (a stick or
pencil-like marker to apply to the scratch?) but i want to know if
it's worth pursuing.

---

Request for Question Clarification by alienintelligence-ga on 31 Oct 2002 02:07 PST

Hi charidea

Are you only interested in the "pencil-like scratch
remover"?

I use the same auto-polish I use for those hard to
avoid scratches on my vehicles. It's great for
CD's, DVD's and even cars.  =)


Scratch-X 

[ http://www.meguiars.com/product_showroom/showproducts_template.cfm?SrcLine=CP&SrcCat=2
]

ScratchX is the most effective way to remove fine scratches
and swirls from automotive paint by hand. This product is
guaranteed to deliver the finest results possible by hand
(some scratches require removal by machine applied
professional formulas). ScratchX removes surface
contaminants, oxidation and blemishes as well as enhances
paint color. Unlike many paint correction formulas on the
market, ScratchX will not leave more scratches than it
takes out. It's ideal for use as a quick touch up or to
revive a car's entire finish.

G-10307 ....................7 oz. (Tube)   $6.99




-AI

You have already cleaned the disc, so you know that the problem is not
extra material added to the surface of the disc, but rather a real
scratch.  As some have suggested, you can try filling in the scratches
with a variety of compounds, but I would suggest taking your DVD to a
local used CD shop and asking them to buff it for you.  The tolerances
on thickness of CDs and DVDs are actually pretty wide, so you can rub
out some fairly deep scratches and still be left with a usable DVD.

Another, more expensive but multi-use option would be to buy a better
DVD player.  Just as CD players vary widely in their ability to handle
scratched, dirty, or unbalanced CDs, DVD players too must correct for
everything from simple misreads to actual disc damage.  If you play
your DVDs in a computer DVD player, you can download software to
measure the drive's ability to correct for defects.  Also, if your
read errors occur during ripping the DVD, you can force your DVD
player to read at 1X to achieve better tracking.

Hope this helps!

-Haversian

I have had excellent luck with the Disk Doctor series of resurfacing
units.  I bought a Disk Doctor for about $29, and it sucessfully
resurfaced a bunch of DVD's and game CD's that I thought my kids had
damaged beyond repair.  It looks like a handheld can opener - you snap
the DVD/CD into the tray, spray it with water (included) and crank the
handle - the wheel polishes the disc surface and you then buff it out
and give it a spin!

Try it!

http://www.digitalinnovations.com/

I used to take my CDs (playstation games, music cds, etc) that were
really scratched up to a Pawn Shop and have them use their jewelry
buffer on them. It's gentle enough to usually buff out the scratches
and correct the problems to where the discs are readable again. Using
the solution that jasker2k mentioned is probably very similar.

I have had great results using fine white auto rubbing compound cream
and a really, really soft cloth to buff out the scratches.
Unfortunately, when my supply ran out, I could only find the fine
white rubbing compound in liquid form, and it doesn't seem to work as
well. (I may have to get the Disk Doctor.)

Thanks for the tip, jasper2k!

Here is alink that has several remedies and reccomendations from true
computer geeks - The Screensavers of TechTV:
http://www.techtv.com/callforhelp/howto/story/0,24330,3375597,00.html