I CONFESS: I Need Additional Chemical Input
Out of an overabundance of curiosity and at the risk of stirring up a spitstorm here, I actually applied an automotive ceramic coating to one of my cds! OMG! I also confess that I was too fearful of an electricians’ revolt to post this over on ASR!
About 2 weeks ago, I applied Meguir’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax to our old Toyota—primarily as a protective coat, but it does shine nicely. Rain beads like a mother. Being a cat person, I understand when I just can’t leave something alone. This need to find out more led me to a PhD and plenty of other adventures, so . . . I basically applied the stuff to my cd just like I did to the car: 1) Wash cd; 2) Spray wax onto cd while still wet; 3) Rinse well; 4) Dry/rub with microfiber towel.
I had to choose a reference quality cd that I could live without if the worst happened. I also used new, reference-quality microfiber towels.😏
The winning (?) choice was one of my favorite demo discs when I was retailing gear: the Sheffield Lab cd of Discovered Again recorded in 1976 by Dave Grusin with Ron Carter, Lee Ritenour, Harvey Mason and Larry Bunker. Despite the inevitable abuse suffered on the sales floor, the cd has always sounded great. It still sounded terrific when I began the experiment with a baseline refresher listening critically to the whole cd. It still pushes systems very hard at times, especially Ritenour’s guitar and some of the percussion effects. I fondly remember analog days of yore when I had the direct-to-disc vinyl. Tried to get my revered Decca Signature to track Larry Bunker’s vibes on this album. When Decca’s were good, they were very, very good but when they etc, etc . . . you know!
After washing, coating and drying, I must report in all honesty that the SQ improved in my system. Ritenour’s peaks sang true and the mystery instrument in the left channel turned out to be a tambourine with metal discs, not plastic. Missing attack transients IMO. Soundstage was not so much bigger as it was clearly wider than my speakers. Low noise. Rain beads like a mother.
I sure would like to entice anyone already in possession of this car product to try this and verify my results. If you'd put it on your Porsche, what's a little cd? But more importantly, I’d like advice from the physics/chemistry wing of this forum to advise as to whether or not my Grusin cd is likely to self-destruct soon. Or maybe the laser will peel long ceramic curly-fries off my discs.
Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa!
I like Novus. It is safe for polycarbonate and improves the reflectivity. The better the shine/ reflectivity, the better the laser can read the CD. A little concerned about stuff like McGuires that hardens and doesn't come off. Although I agree it gave me the best shine of the 4 ceramics I tried on the car. |
Decades ago "Rain X" was the chemical you put on CDs. I will admit I do not recall if it improved the sound quality but what it did do was save a number of CDs with light scratches and abrasions that caused the CD to skip. Deep scratches however were beyond repair. The idea was the RainX prevented the laser from scattering its light. Also at this time was some snake oil about using a green marker on the CD's rim to improve the sound. Apply a couple of drops spread it around buff it off. simple fast and it is great on windshields as well!Seriously worth a try if you have damaged CDs. |
@denverfred there’s something about this because there is a product I have had for years and still use called ultra bit platinum. It applies a “wet” shine to the cd that seems to improve the sound. I guess it’s all about the shiny bits and the laser. Seems like there’s another option😀 |
I experimented with various coatings and fluorescent pads with cds and players many years ago. While initially thought I heard improved sound, over the long term got lazy, stopped the coating process, removed the pads. In comparison of various modes of playback, coatings and pads, coatings and no pads, no coating, no pads, my conclusion, couldn't accurately determine any difference between the three. I assumed my initial enthusiasm was due to confirmation bias. Still, don't have closed mind these sorts of tweaks couldn't work, perhaps my system wasn't resolving enough at that time, or maybe better coatings? |
I always appreciate people who have enough curiosity to try things. I'd have chosen Graphene coating, but then too you had the ceramic and the curiosity at the same time so bravo to you for the effort. I don't have any ceramic or graphene yet but its on my list. of things to do. Meanwhile please keep us posted as to the progress or regress of the CD and player especially if smoke or a lightening, storm happen within the CDP while this CD is playing |
