Ask the Experts: Entertainment Electronics

11apr08

Hey there Mark,

Is there anyway to restore CDs and LPs that are scratched, that skip, or are just plain dirty? I’ve heard of ‘miracle liquids’ that fix CDs, and that if you wash LPs with dish soap and warm water at least it will clean up some of the hiss from years of dirty fingers etx.

What’s the word on the street?

Thanks,

jimme

 Hi Jimme

There is a device called CD or DVD Doctor that can restore scratched discs. It’s an odd looking widget that spins the disc via a crank and sands then polishes it. Works very well.  If there is a small scratch on a CD that is making it not readable, some people use toothpaste and a very soft cloth to polish out the scratch. No guarantees on that one.

As for LP’s…there are many wives tales. Finger prints are usually the least worry. Small scratches, dust/debris particles and static build-up make more crackles and pops than anything else.

Cleaning the LP helps but find a special solution. Tap water and soap will leave tiny mineral deposits in the grooves, if you insist on using water, use only distilled. Use a very fine record brush for the dust etc. that will also draw static electricity from the vinyl.

Hope this helps keep the snap, crackle and pop to your breakfast cereal.

Mark Stoakes
Kromer Radio Ltd.
Where Entertainment Begins
www.kromerradio.com

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