David Lock

How do you clean old CDs that don't always play properly and are showing signs of surface grime?

I checked with Google and there is a lot of conflicting advice. The best general cleaning stuff I have is that spray on foam but there is no mention of this on Google. I don't think a plain old dry cloth would be sufficient.

All I know is that if using a cloth then I should work from centre of disc to the edge and not in a circular fashion like the good old vinyl days.

And what exactly is an "anti-static" cloth?

TIA, dl

Bug Eyed Peas

JML Disc Clinic with Lens Cleaner from JML Direct

Saw this advertised, not tried it though.

Ant

David Lock

Thanks - might be worth a try. d

Bug Eyed Peas

No worries. You could always try blowing onto the cd, wait for the air to condense and wipe with a microfibre cloth.

I`m sure someone maybe be able to offer better advice.

Ant

GaryCat

A badly scratched disc can be gently cleaned with car polish to make a smooth surface again.

Isopropyl Alcohol is the usual stuff for cleaning. Maplin have a whole range of products...

Maplin > cd cleaner

andy97

iTrader: (1)

You must clean a cd/dvd in staight lines from the centre to the outside rim. Dont rub in a circle fashion around the disc, (the data is laid down in a spiral from the centre to the outside) as long fine scratches made by cleaning will lose too much data and the disc wont play properly. A soft cloth and moisture from your breath is usually sufficient to clean a disc.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

A decent record shop will refurbish a disc for a couple of quid a go, they have a machine which cuts and polishers the surface back to brand new. Ask locally.

Our local one did one of my lad's that his girlfriend used as a plantpot stand, (we think) and it wouldn't play at all. now it's back to perfect

Alcazar

jpor

iTrader: (1)

Got one of those and used it recently on my copy of COD4 for the XBOX360. Works a treat!

Shark Man

For greasy discs: Soapy water, soft wet cloth, dry with soft cotton cloth...in straight directions only: not circular.

Odds on

Oop's! I've always just squirted washing up liguid on to the disc, wiped with a soft cloth in circles and then rinsed with cold water!

Never had any problems though TBH and I've made some pretty badly scratched discs work again.