How Do I Clean My Stereo Lens?

[MusicChick]

Sorry I didn't know where to put this but it concerns music. Anyway my cds have been skipping in my stereo (yes the stereo was made to play cd-rs) and I know that the lens is probably dirty. Anybody know how I can clean it, the lens? Or how I can clean inside it? Can you recommend a product that might work? (And yeah I know the cds need to be clean too) Thanks for any help.

[Afronaut]

Problem can also be that them parts that spins the cd are worn out,
giving the whole process just a bit too much "slack", the laser
cant keep on track thus skipping.
Depends on the player but atleast in cheaper ones, its usually cheaper to
get a new one than take to repair-shop.

Here's some info of my own "experoments" on cleaning cd/tape players:
I havent used any cleaning stuff on cd-players, they tend to left some stuff on the lense anyway. And thats not good.
Acetone could be used on cleaning but , i've used it on cleaning
the "heads" on tape players before, but:
its very corrosive it can melt some plastics etc, so i wouldnt recommend it, well, maybe
you can try that if the player is skipping all the time but i'd try some "nail-polishing"
chemicals first.
Also note, if used on some parts that has text on it, ie. serial numbers etc, you may lose that text if using acetone. To check what does acetone do for the part,
add it a little on the place which is not vital for the part to work and check out some time later if its melting/doing damage etc.
Im pretty sure that if the lense is plastic, adding Acetone is Not A Good Idea,
but if its made of glass, acetone will clean it just fine i think.
Why Acetone? Because it will not leave so much stuff behind (like the normal
cleaning liquids) after the part is cleaned.

Use it on your own risk, if you choose so, and read the info on the link,
acetone is not your average chemical, be carefull with it.

Cheers:
-GS-

[camille]

Acetone is good as well, but if you're going to use CCl4 (Carbon Tetrachloride) is non- corrosive and harmless. This is the proper chemical that can be used in cleaning heads and lenses. This could be purchased in Drug Stores or Laboratories.

[Afronaut]

Thanks for heads up.

Gonna write that up...

Cheers:
-GS-

[AndrewBarker]

if its just dust you can buy a cleaning cd. it looks like a cd with little brushes on it.

a soft damp cloth with a mild detergent (washing-up-liquid) is an effective safe product to use in a home environment.

Be careful - the laser pick-up is an extremely sensitive device and easily damaged.

[camille]

Originally posted by AndrewBarker@2 December 2003 - 21:57
if its just dust you can buy a cleaning cd. it looks like a cd with little brushes on it.

Yes, but it's not effective if the dirt is stubborn

[Afronaut]

And those "washing liquids" leaves a nice "cover" behind.
Tried and tested, thats why i was posting about the Acetone.

Could be good idea to get the cleaning cd and

use CCl4 (Carbon Tetrachloride) is non- corrosive and harmless

instead of the stuff that comes along with the pack.

Cheers:
-GS-

[camille]

Originally posted by Guitar-Slinger@2 December 2003 - 22:18
Could be good idea to get the cleaning cd and
instead of the stuff that comes along with the pack.

Nowadays, those cleaning CD's are all commercial but it's not reliable and dependable.

[bujub22]

buy a scratch remover from the mall if not that they do have some polishes that remove scratchs or when u get a cd copy it so u always got a bac up B)

[camille]

Originally posted by bujub22@3 December 2003 - 06:55
buy a scratch remover from the mall if not that they do have some polishes that remove scratchs or when u get a cd copy it so u always got a bac up B)

I've tried that scratch remover but it damages some areas in your CD.