Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Preparations
• Part 2 of 2: Polishing the CD with toothpaste
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

When CDs were released, they were advertised as "indestructible". Nobody believes that anymore. You can buy commercial CD repair kits to fix these fragile discs, but there is an easier way. Grab a tube of toothpaste and let's get started!

To step

Part 1 of 2: Preparations

1. Examine the damage on both sides of the CD. A CD stores information just below the label. A scratch that passes through the label usually causes permanent damage. Fortunately, scratches are more common on the reflective side, and this is exactly what the toothpaste can help with. The laser reading the CD must be evenly reflected from the smooth surface. Toothpaste is just abrasive enough to smooth out the scratches again.
   • Small scratches and worn spots are much easier to repair than deep grooves. Some repair services can fix a badly damaged CD with a special polisher, but they are tricky to use without causing damage.
2. Wash the CD with a damp, lint-free cloth. Minuscule dust particles on the CD can cause new scratches when you apply the toothpaste to the CD. To prevent this, hold the CD under cold running water and wash it with a lint-free cloth, such as cotton or microfibre. Always rub from the inside out; never in small circular movements or in the direction of the curves of the CD. Wash only the reflective side of the CD.
   • If the CD is very dusty, clean it first with an aerosol can of air.
   • If you see that the CD is greasy, use rubbing alcohol or CD cleaner instead of water.
3. Choose your toothpaste. You can only use real paste, not gel. If you have a choice, go for a whitening or anti-tartar toothpaste. Those toothpastes are usually a bit more aggressive, which helps polish the CD.
   • You may be able to look up your brand of toothpaste to get the so-called "RDA" (relative dentin abrasivity) to find. This is a measure of the aggressiveness of toothpaste. A toothpaste with a high RDA usually produces a more even surface, but this is not always the case.

Part 2 of 2: Polishing the CD with toothpaste

1. Squeeze the toothpaste onto a lint-free cloth. As in the preparation, a cotton or microfibre cloth is best. You can also use a cotton swab.
2. Gently rub the damaged area. Rub the toothpaste over the scratched area on the CD. Always move from the center to the edge. The repeated movement will slowly wear the CD, eventually smoothing it to the depth of the scratch. Do not press hard on the CD.
3. Rinse off the toothpaste. Hold the CD under running water. Wipe the CD with a new cloth, in the same direction: from the inside out.
4. Dry the CD. Be careful here: a dry CD gets scratched more easily than a damp one. Dry most of the water by placing a lint-free cloth on top of the CD and lifting it. Dry the CD further with air, or by wiping it very gently with a dry part of the cloth. Always rub from the center out, in straight lines.
5. Try stronger abrasives. Test the CD when it is completely dry. If it still doesn't work, you can try the same process again, but with a silver, plastic, or furniture cleaner. Never use a product that smells like kerosene or contains petroleum derivatives. These can damage the CD.

Tips

• Keep the toothpaste away from the center ring of the CD.

Warnings

• Do not use hot water. If you want to play the CD immediately after repairing it, your CD player may overheat due to the hot CD.

Necessities

• Toothpaste
• Water
• Damaged CDs
• A lint-free cloth