Preservation of 'old' PS games

[Erik]

Although taking great care after my collection of PS1 games, recently I spotted that a few of the discs have some small cratches. I assume the scratches occurred due to normal use (games being approx. 10 years old).

To be honest I never payed attention to the backside of the discs before. The games run fine in every way. However, I am a perfectionist guy and would like to get rid of the scratches, restoring the discs to their new glory. However I am not sure what would be the best option in this.

I know my local rental store can polish the discs for only EUR 2,50 per disc. However, I assume this path is only to be followed when major abuse was layed upon the disc and the game refuses to run. I can also imagine that this option can not be repeated too much.
So what could I do? Get out some Disc Doctor Kit or to remove these small scratches, or is it best to just leave the discs as they are now?

Better late then never, I am also in the process of making back up copies of my originals (for home use only). If the originals could be restored to 'perfect' condition anyhow, that would be great.

PS : I am having troubles making a short story on each thread. This is the best I could do

[PC Engine Fan X!]

If you do use a Game Doctor on your PSX games, it'll only add a swirlish soft cleaned effect on the data-read portion of the disc -- is only recommended for those super heavily scratched games that can't be read under normal conditions.

For minor and insigficant scratches like you mention with your PSX games, there really isn't a need to resort to using a Game Doctor. For additional protection of your PSX games, you could slip on a Game Skin for added protection against further scratches from developing. ^_~

I recall seeing some of my local Blockbusters having a motorized Game Doctor in the back for those super-scratched up game disc and DVD discs. It's akin to bring out the big guns to get the job done properly. ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[LuckyDay]

I had a lot of problems with game skins when trying to use them on my 360 discs. They kept coming off and wouldn't read well.

Perhaps the speed of the 360 drive is higher than older systems and it doesn't hold them on as well, not sure.

If you have a play n trade store (or something like it) near you they have machines that buff and clean the discs, works great even on really scratched up stuff.

The Blockbuster machine may be similar.

[Erik]

Are there any repair kits out there for small scratches which anyone can recommend (except toothpaste etc)? Looking on the Net, e.g. I can order Disc Repair Kit for this. It consist of a polishing fluid and a micro fibre cloth. I have no idea if it works though.
Could it do harm to otherwise polish the disc at a rental store, even when the damage is minor? After that I could create a copy and save the 'new' polished originals in my collection. Just thinking out loud.
Bottomline could also be that I better leave the small scratches as they are ... (and get a life) ... But I am looking for some more feedback to form my final opinion on this. A lot can be found on the Net but maybe someone here has some more experiences with this.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

I bought a heavily super scratched PSX game disc one time from my local Gamestop and it wouldn't play on my PSX console. Had to resort to using my trusty Game Doctor (the manual hand cranked version) to smooth out the super deep gouges and whatnot. It became playable after just one buffing and polishing session. Game Doctor works as advertised. ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Fudoh]

All the home-scratch-removal-solutions are intended to make the games work again. If your games work fine, don't bother. They'll look worse after using any of those products.

[Seelen]

If you aren't having actual skippage of any sort, or it isn't very scratched, I don't recommend anything.

If you do decide to take it in though, keep in mind that buffing discs is a lot more difficult than it sounds. If you take it to your average game store, chances are they will end up with swirling...and the swirling is essentially like a ZILLION small scratches. You better bring a madden to test or something, many people don't know how to use it properly.

Also, if you have a lot of discs you want redone, I remember someone on digitpress who did it, and was supposedly very skilled.

[Erik]

All the home-scratch-removal-solutions are intended to make the games work again. If your games work fine, don't bother. They'll look worse after using any of those products.

Yes, that was also my initial thought. I think it is better to live with some small scratches then ruining the disc actually.

However, I can get a cheap "repair" kit and still am anxious how it will work. No, I am not trying that on any respectable disc, but on the horrid game Perfect Weapon (small scractches on it, no idea how as I played it only once). It's like The Worst I ever played on PS1, in fact I am very ashamed I own it. Let's BURN it And let you know how it "improved" the disc.

For the rest of my Shmup collection, I am planning on making back up copies. I will use Philips CDR Silverline Premium discs and Clonedisc for this. I used Maxell discs with my standard Roxio CD Creator on my HP but Gradius Gaiden would not work with that. Not sure if got to do with copy protection, but the Philips discs got recommended and with the Maxell's I had issues creating a regular audio disc as well. It's nice to keep myself busy I guess

[Erik]

If you aren't having actual skippage of any sort, or it isn't very scratched, I don't recommend anything.

If you do decide to take it in though, keep in mind that buffing discs is a lot more difficult than it sounds. If you take it to your average game store, chances are they will end up with swirling...and the swirling is essentially like a ZILLION small scratches. You better bring a madden to test or something, many people don't know how to use it properly.

Also, if you have a lot of discs you want redone, I remember someone on digitpress who did it, and was supposedly very skilled.

OK for the moment I will not touch anything, except Perfect Weapon. I will use polishing as a last resort then, but with my current 'back up' plan in place, none of my originals will reach such a very sad state I guess('accidents' excluded). Thanks all

[thchardcore]

There are places you can send the disks to that will use a factory grade polisher to return it to like new quality. Get googling.

[Ganelon]

Honestly, if you take good care of your discs (only leave it in the case or system), no scratches will occur. One thing is that if you have a side-loading system, make sure the surface is constantly clean; any dust will have a high chance of causing scratches upon any start or stop.

[jpj]

disc cleaning is done in "layers" or "steps". one you'd use in a games store will typically be a 1 or 2 stage machine. mainly superficial cleaning. personally i hate them because they leave a swirly spirograph style smudge on the discs. when i dealt with faulty returned games in head office we used a 7 stage machine. took about 30 mins to clean 10 discs (can do multiple discs per stage) no swirling effect though

i would only recommend doing this if you have any faults with the games.

for a professional 7+ stage disc cleaner, the cost is upwards of 1000 euros

the swirling effect is usually a case of too much cleaning fluid applied (or too little).

i can understand being a perfectionist, but just keep them as they are (or buy some professional equipment )