How do I repair a scratched game disc?

I have kids, which means I have scratched game discs that my systems can't read.

Several months ago, I watched a video demonstrating how to repair scratched game discs using car polish. I tried that, and it didn't work. After a little more research, I found and purchased this plastic polishing kit from Amazon. Following the instructions (and using some ultra fine sandpaper to sand out the really bad scratches), I was able polish and sand out the scratches on one disc, while another remains unplayable, despite repeated repair attempts.

Using the plastic polishing kit requires a lot of time and effort. I'm lazy and want it to be easier and simpler.

Is this the best way to repair a disc? Are there any repair tools that are generally accepted, known, and proven to work? Do any game publishers support replacing damaged discs?

Go to your local game shop. That's usually the safest way to have a disc repaired, as they have a precision machine that can remove just enough of the plastic.

Otherwise, I've always used toothpaste and a glass cleaning cloth. If you take off too much of the plastic, you'll ruin the disk.

When a disc is scratched, the data usually isn't touched (if it gets down to the data layer, then that's a seriously deep gouge). Rather, what's happened is that the clear lacquer over the data layer has been scratched, and the scratch screws up the laser trying to read the data underneath.

The best way of repairing a scratched disk is to find a material with similar refractive index, and use that to fill in the scratch.

I am a father, I have unreadable discs that cost between $30 and $60. I watched all the popular videos and this is what I found.

Discs are made of poly-carbonate layers with a reflective data layer sandwiched in between. When the plastic gets scratched it causes the laser to refract (bend) and hit the wrong section of data. This means the data is out of order and missing pieces for the player even though all the data is there in perfect condition (as long as the scratches don't reach that far. This would be obvious since that's a VERY deep scratch).

Toothpaste, petroleum jelly, car polishes, and even bananas are suggested to fill these scratches and stop the refraction but that rarely actually helps. Games that play after this were probably more dirty than scratched but even if the scratch was filled none of these are more than a very temporary fix since they aren't hard enough to permanently fill the scratch.

I am starting a conspiracy theory regarding the irresponsible use of toothpaste as either a plot by toothpaste manufacturers or perhaps an evil dentist union.

The only way to repair scratches is with a professional disc repair machine. Full disclosure I own and operate one of these as a mail in service. There are many such services but when I used a very popular one and it took 5 weeks to get my kid's games back I decided there was a market for another one.

Try local shops if they are close. Many play and trades will have a machine like this and will repair it on the spot for about $5. Full disclosure: I run one such place.

I use toothpaste. Works swell.