Disc repair is the process of using a combination of compound (wet or dry) and polishing pad(s) to remove damaged layers of a disc to make it playable again

Disc repair is both a commercial and a consumer solution. Commercial users include: Video Stores, Libraries, Pawnbrokers, Used Music, Video and Game Stores, Disc Repair Service Companies, Data Recovery Agencies, Information/Data Storage Companies, Intelligence Agencies, Forensic Data Specialists

Consumers who have extensive DVD, CD and Game Disc collections can choose to invest in a disc repair solution rather than bearing the hight replacement costs of their damaged discs.

Disc inspection uses Disc Go Tech Inspection Machines (Disc Go Check and Disc Go Check MAX) OR Disc Inspection Computer Software (Disc Check Up Software) to scan a DVD, CD or Game disc to determine whether or not it will play in any given machine (99.6% accuracy rate). We are currently working on making our inspection platforms Blu-Ray and HD-DVD compatible.

Disc Repair Machines are engineered to perform the actual physical repairs on the disc by removing scratches that have made the disc unplayable.

As long as the disc is not warped, cracked, broken and has no damage to the foil layer (see answer for question "What types of damage cannot be repaired?") Disc Go Tech machines repair:

• CDs – Music, Data, RW, R formats
• DVDs – Blu Ray, HD DVD, Single and Double Sided
• Video Game Discs: Playstation 1/2, Xbox/Xbox 360, and Nintendo Gamecube (special adapter accessory required for Game Cube)

Disc-Go-Tech Disc Repair machines can repair commercially available Blu Ray and HD DVD's which get scratched just like all other types of disc media as well.

A Disc is made up of four layers. The first layer is the thickest and easiest to repair. However, the other three layers combined (reflective foil, lacquer, and graphic) are only as thin as a human hair and offer little or no protection to the data beneath them. You can see the different layers as shown in the picture.

Graphic Layer (4th layer) A layer of ink is screened onto the lacquer layer for dynamic graphic and/or sales impact. (Recordable CDs don't have this layer.) Lacquer Layer (3rd layer) Lacquer is dripped onto the disc and spun at high speed to create a thin layer of sealant for the foil layer. This seals in the foil layer, but offers little or no protection for the data beneath. Reflective Foil Layer (2nd layer) A micro thin layer of aluminum (copper, silver or gold on higher quality CDs) is applied to the top of the CD covering the data. This layer reflects the laser beam back through the plastic disc, allowing the stamped data to be read. Polycarbonate Disc (1st layer) Data is stamped on the topside of a plastic disc creating millions of “on” and “off’s” or zeros and ones. On recordable CDs, data can be burned in at different levels within the plastic disc, for multi-session recording. Please note that recordable CDs have a much thinner layer due to the manufacturers name printed on this layer.

If the disc will not read on your machine or has started to skip or freeze when you listen, watch, or play it, then chances are the disc needs to be repaired.

In most instances light, medium and heavy scratches can be repaired (provided there is none of the types of damage to the disc listed on the answer to the following question).

Foil Damage occurs when the graphic side of a disc has been scratched. Severe foil damage can easily be seen by holding the label side of the disc up to a strong light source and observing the shiny side of the disc. If light can be seen through the disc then the disc has definite foil damage. Light foil damage can also prevent the disc from playing, but it is much harder to spot with the naked eye. One easy way to see light foil damage is to first inspect the label side for any type of scratch. If a scratch is located on the top side, view the bottom side to see if the same scratch appears on the optical (shiny non graphic) side. If the disc is dark, such as a Playstation™ or PS2™ disc, assume the disc is damaged. Another method of viewing foil damage is to look at the scratches on the optical side of the disc. If you can see a reflection of the scratch in the “mirror” of the disc, the disc can be repaired. If you cannot see a reflection of the scratch, the scratch is likely to be foil damage on the top side.

Cracks - Inspect the disc first for any cracks. Typically, discs will start to split from the inside ring, and work towards the outer edge. Give the disc a very slight bend (be careful not to break the disc) to see the cracks more clearly. Occasionally, cracks will start from the outer edge, or may be located in the centre of the reading area. If any crack is found, the disc cannot be repaired.

Dents - Dents are large indentations on either side of the disc. Dents will sometimes appear to be deep scratches; however they have caused irreversible damage to the disc which cannot be repaired. Dents are caused by blunt force to the disc, such as being stepped on, being bitten by a pet, or placing heavy sharp objects onto the disc. Dents can sometimes be seen protruding through the other side of the disc.

Warping– Warping is when the disc, which should be perfectly flat, has been bent or warped due to heat damage. This type of damage will typically be seen around the entire edge of the disc and can be seen in the reflection of the disc. To inspect for warp damage, look at the reflection in the mirror side of the disc. Reflect a straight edge, such as a fluorescent light tube in the ceiling and tilt the disc back and forth while looking at the reflection of the light in the disc. If the light tube appears to be distorted, the disc may be warped. Warp damage can occur due to leaving the disc in sunlight, or inexpensive repair methods.

If the disc is damaged in any way described above, the disc cannot be repaired.

This depends on how deep the scratches are and how many layers need to be buffed down to repair the disc. A disc has a polycarbonate later 1200 microns thick. A light scratch is 5-10 microns deep. With this in mind, any given disc can typically be repaired many times. However, if the disc has foil damage or is cracked, it cannot be repaired.

Each machine comes with supplies to repair up to 100 discs. Based on the cost of reordering polish and polishing pads the average disc repair cost is 25 cents.

Each machine is very simple to care for. For Manual Machines, after each session of use, simply remove the polish, circulate lukewarm water through the lines and wipe clean. For Automated Machines, simply insert Cleaning Cartridge and begin Automatic Self Clean Cycle.

NOTE:: All machines come with a step by step instruction manual to guide you through the use and care of your disc repair machine

The machines are very easy to use. Follow the instructions in the owner’s manual and virtually anyone can operate the machines with ease. Don't forget, if you have any questions or issues, you can always call DISC-GO-TECH support toll free at 1-866-237-3724 or write us at service@discgotech.com. Our offices are open 9am to 5pm Pacific Standard Time.

The items that need replacement are the polishing pads, polishing compound and final spray. How often you need to replace them depends on two factors:

• The number of discs you repair
• How long you run the repair cycles for (longer repair cycle = more polish used)

To find out how long the various sizes of polishing compounds and final spray will typically last please email us at sales@discgotech.com

All Disc-Go-Tech machines run on one set of pads and one type of polish compound making the repair process the most simple and efficient on the market. Some machines on the market require the changing of compounds and pads throught a single repair cycle. This increases the amount of time, money and effort it takes to complete every repair.

The machines will pay for themselves in a short time through repairing (repair cost =$0.25 per disc) their discs instead of buying replacements (replacement cost = $20.00-80.00) you can see the numbers will work in your favour quickly!

Libraries, Pawnbrokers, Video, Game and Music Stores who have discs being circulated out to the public constantly recognize immediate benefit of being able to repair frequently damaged discs and keeping their circulation rotation and profits at a maximum.

This is an important question to many video store and pawn shops (and even libraries doing disc repair as a fundraising initiative). Some repair services use a flat fee (i.e. $2-5 per music cd, $5-10 per dvd and up to $10 for Video Game discs) based on the original value of the item being repaired. You are the best judge of your customers and market conditions – so determine a fair price and let people know you can offer this as a service. Disc-Go-Tech can help with highly visible repair posters to advertise your service offering.

Library Fundraising: Certain libraries simply charge per donation and find that their fundraising is more successful than using a flat rate model. Use whatever method you believe to be the easiest and most profitable way for your library!

For our commercial repair machines, go to our disc-repair business page and click on the "PRODUCT MATRIX" title to find out the size and repair rates for each of our machines.

For our industrial repair machines, we have only one, the DISC-GO-MECH. Go to the DISC-GO-MECH page and click on the "PRODUCT DETAILS" title to see specifications for the machine.