HOW TO: Use a banana to fix a scratched CD or DVD

A few weeks ago, we published an article describing several techniques to help you repair a scratched CD or DVD. Here’s another method to add to your arsenal in case the previous ones did not work for you. Please note that Amazon.com also has a great CD repair machine right here that is pretty effective and not too expensive.

The Banana CD scratch remover

What you’ll need:

  • A banana
  • A banana peel
  • Some glass cleaner
  1. Take a CD / DVD that has smudges and minor scratches on it.
  2. Using a circular motion, apply a freshly cut banana to it.
  3. Next, wipe it down with the banana peel (the inside). The wax from the peel will help polish and further clean the disk.
  4. Take a clean cotton cloth and wipe the entire surface of the CD / DVD. Be sure to apply moderate pressure while moving in a circular motion. This should be done for around 3 to 4 minutes.
  5. Finally, spray the disc with glass cleaner and wipe it clean.

Voilà! Your scratched CD or DVD should now look like new! Please note that this trick will also help you repair scratched PS2 and Xbox CD’s and DVD’s.

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53 Responses to HOW TO: Use a banana to fix a scratched CD or DVD

  7. I thought you were never supposed to do wipe in that direction. I thought it was always wipe from center of disc outwards.

    Reply

  9. I have to say I am unconvinced. When I started buying CDs I got told they would last forever and they've already started to degrade and the silvery bit in some is going golden. So will give this a try on some old disks and see what happens. Anyone know how to get scratches out of vinyl – or even better remove wax from them.

    Reply

    • Why would you remove the wax? You'd have nothing left…er well…at least if you get wax records… you cant unscratch vinyl though. the needle goes right on the "data" surface so it's the data that gets ruined. On a CD the data is farther back and just a layer of plastic gets messed up. Light might reflect funny from the plastic, but if you smooth out the plastic's surface, it behaves normally again.

      Reply

  10. I have to say I am unconvinced. When I started buying CDs I got told they would last forever and they’ve already started to degrade and the silvery bit in some is going golden. So will give this a try on some old disks and see what happens. Anyone know how to get scratches out of vinyl – or even better remove wax from them.

    Reply

    • Why would you remove the wax? You’d have nothing left…er well…at least if you get wax records… you cant unscratch vinyl though. the needle goes right on the “data” surface so it’s the data that gets ruined. On a CD the data is farther back and just a layer of plastic gets messed up. Light might reflect funny from the plastic, but if you smooth out the plastic’s surface, it behaves normally again.

      Reply

  11. Eh got drunk and was pretending I was a superstar DJ by candle light with some friends and knocked a candle onto the turn table – tried ethyl alcohol, the freezer and numerous other things – wouldn't generally mind would just replace but not been able to find it again for a reasonable price.

    Reply

  12. Eh got drunk and was pretending I was a superstar DJ by candle light with some friends and knocked a candle onto the turn table – tried ethyl alcohol, the freezer and numerous other things – wouldn’t generally mind would just replace but not been able to find it again for a reasonable price.

    Reply

  20. I was desperate to fix my Fable cd and i looked at this.
    I tried toothpaste first, but that worked nicely too ^^.
    A banana, though? o_O

    Reply

  21. I was desperate to fix my Fable cd and i looked at this.

    I tried toothpaste first, but that worked nicely too ^^.

    A banana, though? o_O

    Reply

  26. First thing I try is to see if OS X Disk Utility can make a disk image of the DVD. If yes, I just burn it to a new DVD and all is OK. In fact, if it’s something really precious, this is the first thing I do and just file the original.

    I’ve only tried this with non-protected DVDs but it works almost every time. I am not sure why. Maybe the DVD drive in my computer is less sensitive to scratches than the one hooked up to my TV.

    I suppose a protected DVD might need some ripping instead but I am not sure. I sure would try it though because all these remedies only buy time until it happens again. If you can get a disk image, you can burn a new copy any time you need it.

    PS. the geeksaresexy.net girl make me weak in the knees.

    Reply

  27. First thing I try is to see if OS X Disk Utility can make a disk image of the DVD. If yes, I just burn it to a new DVD and all is OK. In fact, if it's something really precious, this is the first thing I do and just file the original.

    I've only tried this with non-protected DVDs but it works almost every time. I am not sure why. Maybe the DVD drive in my computer is less sensitive to scratches than the one hooked up to my TV.

    I suppose a protected DVD might need some ripping instead but I am not sure. I sure would try it though because all these remedies only buy time until it happens again. If you can get a disk image, you can burn a new copy any time you need it.

    PS. the geeksaresexy.net girl make me weak in the knees.

    Reply

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