How do you clean CD/DVDs ?

Shine-o-la works great for me!

They're a lot easier to clean than the grooved surface of a vinyl or acetate record. The Shine-Ola kit is all that is necessary.

Takes some time and effort but I use Mikro-Smooth and Optrix from Mapleshade records. Both work great especially the Mikro-Smooth on scratched or damaged CD's.

You don't need to clean CDs, although some audiophiles, suffering vinyl withdrawal, can't resist the urge.

These are all good answers but I'm stumped about why no machines?

These are all good answers but I'm stumped about why no machines?

I'll start working on one tonight. Thanks for bringing up this maketing niche oversight. ;-)

BTW, how does $495 sound for a pricepoint?

Cheers,
John

I'll start working on one tonight. Thanks for bringing up this maketing niche oversight. ;-)

Mine comes complete with an electric drill and a beach towel for only $359

I have some polycarbonate cleaner that we use and a few microfilter cloths to wipe the discs clean (wet or dry). I forget the brand, it wasn't audio stuff, it was some commercial stuff for polycarbonate windows on pinball machines. We got it on eBay.

For scratches we have some various levels of commercial polycarbonate scratch remover that we apply, scrub, and remove by hand (for light scratches). Again, it's stuff for pinball machines.

for deeper scratches we have the motorized Skip Doctor (ca.$30 or $40) with some polishing compound. Although the wheel marrs the surface, it's better than having to throw the CD or DVD out. (we buy a lot of CDs, DVDs, PS2 and XBox games used).

For serious listening sessions I'll also hit the CDs with the Mapleshade Ionoclast zapper gun (similar to a Milty or zerostat). With the ionoclast treatment I notice increased low-level detail retrieval (CD apparently sounds louder). The treatment seems to last for about 6 plays.

Mine comes complete with an electric drill and a beach towel for only $359

I'm sure I could come out with a scaled down Standard version for $349. However, the Deluxe version ( $495 ) will get you cd's cleaner, with it's more powerful motor.
The Deluxe version will make you cd's sound more 'transparent', as if another veil has been lifted.

FWIW, I've also started on an Extreme version, that will blow even my Deluxe version out of the water. It will be in the $995 price range. It will clean so good, that it will even clean the bits off the disc. :-)

Cheers,
John

The "Nuguy Digital Enhancement System" is so high end that it is a part of National Security. I am putting myself at risk even speaking of it. In fact, NASA uses it for their data CDs, and even to buff out scratches on the space-shuttle.

UH OH!!! There are black helicopters circling over my house, I've gotta get out of ............

I've been working on a machine myself, but it's really an exclusive edition with a price-no-object approach. I can finally reveal some of the revolutionary technology as my patents just recently came through. First the machine applies a precise layer of foaming gel to the surface of the CD followed by five rotating razors that'll be sure to get any of the dirt that happens to snap back. Pulsating jets of pressurized hyrdro therapeutic aqua solution combined with my secret Irish deodarant soap follows that, after which a powerful swiss vacuum doing kicks in (and let me tell you now; it really sucks!). After the vacuum there is what I like to call the extensive tanning cycle when the CD is exposed to powerful UV light. Then the magnets raise up, and you'd better keep your credit cards and keys in the next room! A fine dusting of talcum powder and a warm dreamy shot of compressed air conclude the cycle. Let me tell you, your discs will be so damn clean you can see yourself in them!!!

Marco

PS If you have to ask the price you probably can't afford one.

Actually I bought a DiscWasher years ago that seemed to do a bang up job of smearing the playing surface and actually on occasion rendering a playable disc unplayable. It is battery or AC powered and has 2 little sponge/chamois type material covered discs that spin in a circular pattern while the disc spins. It uses a DiscWaher fluid that appeared to be a very high grade H20 product available only from DiscWasher. So when I have a Disc that needs cleaning I dust off the Discwasher machine put it back on the shelf and use Shine-Ola.