A scratched game disc can put a serious damper on game night with friends or family. Often you do not notice the disc is scratched until everyone has gathered around and is ready to play. Fortunately, there are several fixes you can try using items you have on hand to remove those scratches and get game night back on track.
Wash the Disc
It may seem elementary for a scratched-disc remedy, but often your best bet is to begin with a good cleaning. Dirt and debris can create more scratches as you clean if you do not remove them first, and often a superficial scratch can actually be a buildup of dirt or a smudge. Be sure to use a mild liquid soap and rinse the disc well with warm water. Use very light pressure to avoid causing damage to the disc, and always wipe from the center of the disc to the edge in a straight line. Allow the disc to air dry before you try other scratch-removal methods or test the disc in your player.
Toothpaste
Non-gel toothpaste is an effective and mild abrasive. Toothpaste works especially well on light surface scratches, but you can use repeated applications to remove deeper scratches. Make sure you apply the toothpaste to the disc with a soft, lint-free cloth and wipe from the center straight out to the edge. If you use too much pressure, you may create additional scratches, so press very lightly. Rinse the disc well with warm water, and always let the disc air dry before testing it in your player.
Baking Soda and Water
Baking soda and water mixed into a thick paste works well as a light abrasive on deeper scratches. When mixing baking soda and water, start with small amounts of each and stir well to be sure you get the mixture to the right consistency. A good rule of thumb for removing scratches from a disc is to keep the mix around the consistency of peanut butter. Use the paste in the same way you would use the toothpaste and repeat if the scratch is still visible.
Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly works by filling in the scratched area and reducing the skipping the laser may encounter from the scratch on the disc. You only need a very small amount of petroleum jelly. You can use your finger to apply a thin layer onto the scratched area. Wipe away any excess with a soft, lint-free cloth. Be sure to wipe straight out from the center to the edge of the disc. It may take several passes to make sure you remove all of the excess petroleum jelly. If your disc is too greasy, you need to wipe the disc again.
Tags: from center, deeper scratches, disc before, disc well, disc well with, game night, jelly your
