Disc resurfacing

As a follow up, I got this ZDAG101 from Amazon. It can work ok for non-colored disks (i.e. black playstation games are really hard to get to look good). I did a run of discs when I got them. It was really time and labor intensive. I like having it for something I need immediately, or for cleaning disks. But in the end, it mostly collects dust.

The Amazon reviews were generally good, but it looks to me like the device's design makes it likely that you'll need more supplies quickly.

For most stuff I want to look like new, I will get it done in a store, like Sean Kelly's Videogames Etc.

 

Do these polish machines work for specific discs formats only? I was wondering if you could get a polish machine that works equally well for CD, DVD and Blu-ray.

 

Blu ray? Bad idea.

The data layer is only 0.1mm away from the disc's surface, so you may well end up having a completely dead disc.

 

In case you haven't tried this yet. My advice is to squirt some washing up liquid on the underside of the disc, then add a little water and work it with your fingers. Carefully rinse and dry it ( I normally use a tea towel ).

You might not be able to get a console to read them, but a decent drive on a PC can probably copy them.

Scratches aren't always the problem, usually it's the dirt inside them. I've done this with pressed and recordable discs with a lot of success.

 

this is true, this is why people say certain tricks work. Like flushing the toilet with the disc in the toilet. I have never tried this but i know people that swear by it. I tried tooth paste on a music cd and while it didn't make the cd look better it did play a little bit longer without skipping.

 

1. Blu ray discs shouldn't ever get scratched, and if they do someone was trying too hard!

2. I have a bit of a phobia of the data layer on CDs/DVDs delaminating a microscopic ammount and water finding it's way in there. It has happened on some burned music CDRs I would keep in my old car (that I didn't take care of, as they were pretty much disposable anyway)... and especially used discs scare me a bit.

 

Since I purchased most of my PS2 collection pre-owned I have some experience with repairing scratches. No fancy machines for me. I normally work silicone wax floor polish (from the center to the edge of the disc) using a soft cloth until you can't see it any more and leave overnight. Worked for every game the PS2 had trouble reading so far. :nod:

 

any more tips on this? I found some old dreamcast games I cannot get to repair at all. Does anyone know if GameStation still do it?

 

The Gamestation near me do it. I think if anyone here buys and resells games Ie ebay profiters you shouldn't resurface them as it is dishonest and makes the buyer think there getting a mint game where it can be one piece of dust away from going to crap.

 

Commercial Polisher:
Watch that store employee doesn't get too aggressive.

For scratches that are not too deep I have had good luck with plastic polish. Not cleaner, but actual liquid polish such as the kind used for convertible top rear plastic windows. With soft cotton cloth, hand rub in, let dry then hand buff out.

 

necrobumping this thread ftw!

Has anyone had any experience with the following consumer-level motorized disc repairing/resurfacing kits? (Links are to their Amazon listings)

Aleratec 240135 DVD/CD CG Disc Repair System - $376.99

JFJ EASY PRO DISC REPAIR MACHINE - $125.95

Digital Innovations 10185 Skip Dr. Motorized AutoMax - $99.99

Aleratec DVD/CD Disc Repair Plus - $74.99

Professional DVD/CD Disc Cleaner and Reconditioner - $43.99

I was thinking in investing on one, as there are no game shops (or any other places) down here that can offer the service, but I don't want to spend thousands of dollars on an "industrial" one. So did a quick search and these were the ones I found.

Opinions and suggestions are welcome :nod:

 

Can you not still buy tubes of Crystal Disc? I used that stuff for years, always worked a treat for me.

 

I got given a hand-operated version of the $99 one (otherwise identical, though, down to the plastic casing, which makes me suspicious about its price) from a mate to use on a few discs I had that were pretty far gone. It was an ugly bit of kit and the disc surfaces looked like hell afterwards but surprisingly it did the trick, at least for long enough to dump the contents.

TBH I wouldn't trust any of those for a disc that's got unique, valuable data, with the possible exception of the Aleratec unit, but I'd get feedback on that first. Generally, though, if the disc is important, take/send it somewhere that can do the job properly - if it isn't, spend the money on a replacement instead. I wouldn't spend any real money on any of the above.

 

http://www.burningissues.net/how_to/scratchrepair/scratchrepair.htm

Never heard of Crystal Disc until today but it seems to do about the same job quality wise as Brasso. I have a thread over in mods/hacks about Brasso that only encompasses one documented application. Though it did fix the disc to working order in all likely hood if you used the stuff on a game disc you'd likely dig the laser an early grave.

 

Quite. Cheap consumer units are just that - cheap shit. The "expensive" one out of the lot looks a bit like the cheapest unit that the pro brands offer. They are only man enough for doing about 10 discs a day. As for replacement parts when it goes wrong, they're somewhere in the region of 10%-50% of the (full) retail price.

If nobody does it in your area, why not do it properly? Get an industrial unit that's up to the job. In the UK, you can get a decent unit for around £1,500. You can charge say £2 a go. That means you have to do 750 discs to get your money back. Sounds a lot? If you did 15 discs a day, you'd be in profit in 2 months. Go to local game shops and offer a trade price. Buy up scratched discs cheap (learn to see what's TOO scratched, of course) and sell them for a profit, shiny and new-looking.

 

Currently all my important discs are scratch free, but I do get lots DC/PS2/XBOX/360 games on lots I buy that are scratched to death, and it would be cool having one of these units to fix 'em up so they look and work nice when I resell them here.

That Aleratec unit has some good reviews, though they say maintenance is a bitch with that unit, gotta clean it and change the fluids every single time you use it.

I'd love to, and gave it a thought when I was considering the idea of opening a videogame store here in Uruguay, but that didn't work out, and importing anything here is a pain in the ass (hence why the store idea never got through the idea-stage) with a 60% tax plus customs broker fees, etc.

But anyway, how big are these industrial units? Any brands in particular that are known to be good? IIRC there are wet and dry process right?

 

The smallest aren't very big... up to fairly big lol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FhypBq8fFU

That one is fairly robust... it'll do about 50 discs a day. You can see the size compared to a CD at 1:30.

 

Just to get a disc working, sometimes I use oil from my forehead - wipe the disc with your greasy (but clean) face, then buff a little with a clean cloth. It will fill in the scratches and keep the light from refracting too much. Sometimes it works in a pinch. Won't fix it, though!

I'm not sure why I admitted to that.

 

Now you must gather oil from your forehead by striking it with your palm

 

Always you can try this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MF5RU6d9VA

Ps: If you don`t understand some name of the things used there, ask me :dance: