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After ripping over 5200 CDs into flac files, I discovered a way to minimize read errors. Maguiars (the car wax company) offers a product called PlastX that's made for polishing polycarbonate headlight lenses. Since CDs are made of the same type of material, I tried using it on a CD that was giving me multiple errors due to tons of fine surface scratches. It not only worked, it resolved all the read errors. After some trial and error, I developed a routine that works with only few exceptions (and those CDs were in really rough shape.
Step One:
Gently but thoroughly clean the non-printed side of the CD using a clean microfiber cloth moistened with an eyeglass cleaner (NEVER use glass cleaner) formulated specifically for plastic lenses. I use the microfiber auto detailing towels Costo sells in their automotive aisle (by the dozen) and a pump spray lens cleaner I purchase from Amazon.
Step Two:
Apply a few drops of Maguiars PlastX cleaner/polish to the freshly cleaned shiny side of the CD and spread it evenly over the entire CD in a thin layer.
Step Three: Maguiars offers sponge applicators for applying car wax and polish that are washable and reusable as long as you don't embed dirt into them. The sponge applicators will not soak up all the PlastX into itself (unlike cotton applicators), minimizing waste. Lay the CD shiny side up on a clean towel placed on a sturdy flat surface (I use my dining room table) Using the sponge applicator, briskly rub the PlastX into the CD surface from the center hole to the outer edge and back, perpendicular to the spiral path the laser follows when reading a CD. You may need to add a few drops of PlastX to a fresh applicator. Do NOT rub in a circular motion around the center spindle hole like you would do when cleaning a vinyl record, as any accidental scratches along the path the laser reads may permanently render the CD unreadable. The PlastX will leave a coudy film on the CDs surface. Let it dry for a few minutes
Step Four:
Using a second, clean and dry microfiber towel, buff the CD surface clean. Repeat steps two to four for severely scratched CDs.
By following those steps, I managed to reduce the number of failed CDs to 11 out of the 120+ that failed to RIP within my 5200+ CD flac library. The 11 that were rejects, I replaced either with new or used CDs in like-new condition.
Hope this helps.
Step One:
Gently but thoroughly clean the non-printed side of the CD using a clean microfiber cloth moistened with an eyeglass cleaner (NEVER use glass cleaner) formulated specifically for plastic lenses. I use the microfiber auto detailing towels Costo sells in their automotive aisle (by the dozen) and a pump spray lens cleaner I purchase from Amazon.
Step Two:
Apply a few drops of Maguiars PlastX cleaner/polish to the freshly cleaned shiny side of the CD and spread it evenly over the entire CD in a thin layer.
Step Three: Maguiars offers sponge applicators for applying car wax and polish that are washable and reusable as long as you don't embed dirt into them. The sponge applicators will not soak up all the PlastX into itself (unlike cotton applicators), minimizing waste. Lay the CD shiny side up on a clean towel placed on a sturdy flat surface (I use my dining room table) Using the sponge applicator, briskly rub the PlastX into the CD surface from the center hole to the outer edge and back, perpendicular to the spiral path the laser follows when reading a CD. You may need to add a few drops of PlastX to a fresh applicator. Do NOT rub in a circular motion around the center spindle hole like you would do when cleaning a vinyl record, as any accidental scratches along the path the laser reads may permanently render the CD unreadable. The PlastX will leave a coudy film on the CDs surface. Let it dry for a few minutes
Step Four:
Using a second, clean and dry microfiber towel, buff the CD surface clean. Repeat steps two to four for severely scratched CDs.
By following those steps, I managed to reduce the number of failed CDs to 11 out of the 120+ that failed to RIP within my 5200+ CD flac library. The 11 that were rejects, I replaced either with new or used CDs in like-new condition.
Hope this helps.