[testsound]

 I asked a question here https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/61632-to-get-rid-of-cd-scratches-is-toothpaste-enough-or-do-you-have-to-use-sandpaper/ But the question wasn't answered it seems, but derailed.

Someone suggested me using car polish, but in a youtube video they said use sandpaper and rubbing compound.

[timind]

I tried this product: https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/turtlewax-scratch-swirl-remover-11-oz-t238/10148701-p?store_code=8665&product_channel=local&adtype=pla&gclid=CjwKCAiAl4WABhAJEiwATUnEF3I859_xJZPGlwcCelvUJ-4VLdYcIgJTnysh__N3vlyUPKy-1iJ9yRoCYjUQAvD_BwE&store=8665&gclsrc=aw.ds on a very scratched cd. It removed some of the scratches, the CD played a little better, but it still skipped. My experience tells me there are some CDs are redeemable. At the price of used CDs, I'm not wasting much time trying to fix them anymore, I'll just buy a replacement.

The Turtle Wax product did do a wonderful job of removing minor scratches on a black gloss SVS SB3000 subwoofer.

[Rusty Jefferson]

Some of the answers on CA were on target.  If the disc won't play because of the scratches you need to reduce them. I've done it with automotive compounds/polishes on their own by hand and have also needed to use wet/dry sandpaper (1500-2000 grit) a couple times to get out deep scratches. I didn't sand the whole disc as described on CA, just the effected area with the paper wrapped over a small block of firm sponge, then polished with a little 3" handheld buffer I have.  If the scratches aren't too deep, it does work.

[dpatters]

Buy a new copy.

[Stercom]

I drink so much coffee toothpaste just doesn't work anymore on those stains. I've got to use sandpaper and rubbing compound. (Sorry couldn't resist) 

[Big Red Machine]

Can't someone just send you a digital file of the tracks and you burn a new one?

[testsound]

Some of the answers on CA were on target.  If the disc won't play because of the scratches you need to reduce them. I've done it with automotive compounds/polishes on their own by hand and have also needed to use wet/dry sandpaper (1500-2000 grit) a couple times to get out deep scratches. I didn't sand the whole disc as described on CA, just the effected area with the paper wrapped over a small block of firm sponge, then polished with a little 3" handheld buffer I have.  If the scratches aren't too deep, it does work.

Which one's better? Polish or compound?

[nlitworld]

Which one's better? Polish or compound?

Compound for sure. Take any sanding at least to 2000 but if you can go to 3000 that makes it even easier. The time invested to make it good will be more than the cost of a new disc, unless it is unobtainable.

[testsound]

The time invested to make it good will be more than the cost of a new disc, unless it is unobtainable.

How much time does it take?

[Rusty Jefferson]

How much time does it take?

It depends on how scratched up they are. Keep in mind they may not be repairable if badly scratched.  IF you have the compound and polish, and IF you have a small buffer, and IF you have wet/dry sandpaper, you might be able to fix 1 in 15-20 minutes.  All those products are pretty expensive though. I just happened to have those items for my work.

If toothpaste first, and then car polish you probably have laying around applied (aggressively) with a clean microfiber rag don't get it, consider replacing it before buying a bunch of supplies.

[testsound]

How badly scratched are badly scratched? Do you mean scratches that are all over the CD? Or even few scratches that are deep enough? One CD that I want to fix has few scratches but they need anywhere from 20 to 100 frames of re-ripping on dbpoweramp needed for a few tracks. However even when those frames are re-ripped, I find that it is not well done and I can still hear some parts that sound broken. Would you say if it needs that amount of frames re-ripped it is badly scratched and toothpaste/polish might not do it?

[Rusty Jefferson]

.... Would you say if it needs that amount of frames re-ripped it is badly scratched and toothpaste/polish might not do it?

Only one way to find out.