The Best Way to Repair a Damaged PS2 Disc

Hold your disc up to a light and examine it closely. If you see any pinholes or scratches of light peeking through the disc, it's damaged beyond repair. This is because the data of the disc is actually stored on the top layer (the label side). If the scratch is on the top layer or runs deep enough to penetrate the top layer, you're out of luck.

Clean the disc before anything. The best way to clean any game disc is to first wipe it gently with a mild liquid dish detergent (wiping from the center outward in straight lines). Then, rinse the disc completely under the tap using warm water, removing all the soap. Dry the disc completely, and test it on your PlayStation 2 to ensure that the problem is a scratch and not just a dirt issue.

Apply some metal polish (like Brasso) to a soft, non-abrasive, lint-free cloth. Moving in a circular, buffing motion, gently rub the disc evenly. This wears away at the scratch, taking off small amounts of the disc layer. Be careful not to press too hard. This could further damage the disc.

Rinse the metal polish from the disc using warm water. Dry the disc completely.

Apply a polymer-based car polish to a cloth and gently apply it to the disc in a circular, buffing motion similar to how the metal polish was applied. Make sure it's applied evenly to the disc. Let it dry.

Gently buff the car polish from the disc, removing any excess residue. Rinse and dry the disc when finished. It's ready to use when dry.