Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Safe way to clean BDs & DVDs?

This is topic Safe way to clean BDs & DVDs? in forum The Afterlife at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 07-19-2012, 03:38 PM:

I just received a DVD box set of a Korean drama series that I had purchased online and had discovered I was sent a copy that was not new but used. I only discovered it was used when I tried to play the first disc and it would not play after the first five minutes. When I checked the disc, I found it was filthy with smudges all over the surface. I took it into the kitchen and washed it with running water and dried it with soft tissue. After I had removed almost all of the smudge from the disc, I was able to play it without any problem. When I had discovered how dirty the first disc was, I checked the six others in the set and they too had smudges but no way as bad as the first disc. I also cleaned them in the same manner and I am sure I will also have no problem playing them.

Realizing I was sent a used copy, I contacted the vendor and they promptly replied with an apology and assured me that if I have problem playing the disc or want a new copy they will be happy to replace it. I believed them and appreciated their concern.

As long as the disc plays without any problem, I will be keeping the set because returning it will such a hassle because the vendor is based in Hong Kong.

I have removed most of the smudge from my Korean DVDs but I can still see traces and would like to remove them and make the discs look new again. Does anyone have any suggestions on the safest way to clean video discs such as DVds and BDs?

-Claude

Posted by Mark Ogden (Member # 43) on 07-19-2012, 05:35 PM:

I just give them a squeeze of Windex and a wipe with a terry towel or a plush microfiber cloth. Works just fine, but wipe across the grooves, not around the disc with them. Novus Plastic Cleaner works well too.

I wouldn't use tap water unless you dry it thoroughly, else you leave limescale or other deposits on the disc.

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 07-19-2012, 05:44 PM:

I use alcohol. It cleans well and dries quickly. The alcohol is put on a paper towel.

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 07-26-2012, 10:17 PM:

Be careful with paper products. When you are rubbing paper across the delicate, scratch-prone disc surface, remember that paper is made from WOOD.

Posted by Ron Funderburg (Member # 4561) on 07-27-2012, 03:26 PM:

I wouldn't use ammonia based cleaners. I would be really afraid of destroying the coating over the DVD. Does Windex really work?

Posted by Shawn Arndt (Member # 7159) on 09-10-2012, 09:26 AM:

I second the Novus Plastic Cleaner. I use this as I still have a Laserdisc collection and it works wonders on such issues. A microfiber cloth IS preferrable as it will minimize scratches from cleaning and absorb excess liquid quickly.

Posted by Keith Paynter (Member # 6532) on 09-10-2012, 09:38 AM:

On Laserdiscs I used Armor All car wax- spread on, and let it dry...worked great.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 09-10-2012, 10:12 AM:

Rosco lens cleaning fluid with lens paper has worked well for me.