SkipDr can heal your ailing discs

December 18, 2008 12:36 am

IF YOUR HOUSE is full of kids like mine (well, few are full like mine, but that is beside the point) you probably also have a few hundred scratched CDs and DVDs.

In the past I have tried everything from Windex and my T-shirt to taking them to my local Blockbuster store for a run through their cleaning machine. I've also used various disc restoring machines that involve hand-cranking and various sprays. The ones I liked of that ilk were from SkipDr, but I often lost various parts of the machine in between uses.

Now SkipDr has come up with a great version.

The SkipDr Premier Disc Repair System, from Digital Innovations, is frankly a great idea as long as you understand what you're buying and what you're doing. (It's not a toy for the kids.)

This model plugs into the wall (and now has an included AC adapter) or runs on batteries and sits waiting for use, so all you really need to repair a disc is to spray the underside of the CD and insert it in the machine. After about a minute of spinning you're left with a disc with some radial marks on the underside.

You then use the included cloths to buff them out as best you can. But keep in mind the machine is not a disc cleaner for fingerprints or grease. It is designed to repair discs that are scratched or damaged and it does that by mild abrasion. Some users have been quite annoyed to find the radial marks after the process is complete because they expected a shiny gleaming disc when the machine turns off.

You do not use this machine for casual cleaning. You whip this out when discs are skipping or won't play any more. (Then my advice is, fix them with the SkipDr and immediately make a backup copy so you have that on hand when your kids scratch it again.)

Then make sure you take the time to follow the directions and buff and clean the disc using the two included cloths. If your disc is totally hosed, you may need to run it through more than once. The refinishing wheel is good for 50 discs; a replacement kit with another wheel, fluid and cloths is 12 bucks, which is just a tad steep for what you get. I am hoping to find them at a discount.

Also keep in mind the product works only on full-size DVDs and CDs and not the small game discs. However, the unit does work on all full-size discs, including CDs, DVDs, PlayStation, PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360 and Wii.

The unit I like is model No. 1018500 (there are several versions out there) and has a street price of under $40. It's available in many online stores and computer stores. You can see additional details of the product at digitalinno vations.com I recommend this product highly for any household with kids or anyone else who won't put discs back in the case.

James Derk is owner of CyberDads, a computer repair firm and a tech columnist for Scripps Howard News Service. His e-mail address is
Email: jim@cyberdads.com.