How to Fix Scratched DVD

Scratched DVD's create an unwanted snag while you are enjoying a movie. After a long week, you sit back and relax watching your favorite movies. However, a scratched DVD destroys the fun out of your movie. There are a few tricks that will help you learn how to fix scratched DVD at home.

Fixing Scratched DVD at Home

Everyone faces a scratched DVD problem. A scratch on the DVD prevents the laser beam in the DVD reader to read the digital circuits. Thus, creating problems with the end result. Before we see the best way to fix scratched DVD, it is important that we know if the disc is repairable or destroyed. You need to hold the DVD up against light. If you can see through the scratch, the CD or DVD is beyond repair. If not, you can fix the scratches on the shiny side of the DVD to some extent.

You need to get a nice, soft cloth, especially the ones you use to clean jewelry or eye glass cleaning cloth. Apply a few drops of auto wax on the DVD and wait till the wax dries out. Then using the soft cloth or cotton ball polish the DVD. Remember, do not polish in a circular motion along the CD or DVD. This will cause further irreparable damage. Instead move along the scratch, in other words across the DVD. Start at the center and then move outward towards the edge. This will help prevent more scratches from appearing. This will help you with scratched DVD repair to some extent.

Fixing Scratched DVD with Toothpaste

One of the most tired and tested way to fix scratched DVD is using toothpaste. Yes, your ordinary toothpaste, especially baking soda toothpaste. Use the paste form and not the gel form of toothpaste. All you need to do is apply toothpaste on the DVD. Then spread it across with your fingers gently. Using a soft cotton cloth or cotton ball, rub across the DVD from the center towards the outer edge in strokes. Focus the strokes in areas that have the scratches. Buff for a few minutes and make sure you do not apply a lot of pressure. Once you are done, you need to rinse your disk in warm water. Place it on a paper towel to dry. when completely dry, you need to wipe it again with a clean dry cotton cloth. Play your DVD to find the problem reduced to a great extent. If not, you can repeat the process again for 15 minutes. Polishing with toothpaste is one of the best way to fix scratched DVD.

Fixing Scratched DVD with Peanut Butter

You may have tried the above option. It may or may not have worked. Or may be you realize you are gel user and paste is not your type of toothpaste. So, all you have to do is use peanut butter to fix scratched DVD. Peanut butter? Sounds unrealistic, isn't it? The oily sticky peanut butter actually helps in this case. You need to take a bottle of peanut butter paste and spread it across the DVD. Using a soft cotton cloth or cotton ball, clean across the DVD from the inner edge to the outer edge. Work on the scratches and polish gently removing the scratches. After a couple of minutes of rubbing in strokes, you need to rinse the DVD in warm water. Allow it to dry on a flat, clean surface. Try playing the DVD and notice the changes. If you still feel the DVD is taking time to load or having hiccups you can try the following method to fix scratched DVD.

Fixing Scratched DVD with Vaseline or Brasso

You can use Vaseline or metal polish (Brasso) to fix a scratched DVD. Spread a little bit of Vaseline or metal polish across the DVD. Use a soft cloth or cotton ball to clean the scratched DVD. After a few minutes of rubbing across the DVD, clean it with a clean cloth. Then try playing the DVD and find your problems disappear.

This was all about the best way to fix scratched DVD. While you are trying to fix a scratched DVD, keep it on a flat, non-abrasive surface. Never polish the disk in a circular pattern. Always polish from the inside towards the outside. This will help in preventing loss of data. The label side of the DVD is where your data is stored. Make sure you do not scratch the top layer or else your data will be lost forever. Do not touch the DVD with your fingers as you will leave prints and scratches. Always hold it from the edges. If you are desperate to save the data content, you can always approach a professional for data recovery. This was all about how to fix scratched DVD at home. These methods may not give you excellent results, but will surely help reduce the problem. Try these methods, you never know which one helps restore the lost glory of your DVD.