Help with CD, foam insert melted

I recently purchased this used 3 CD set of Aida. It evidently hasn't been played in ages, and the foam insert separating discs 2 and 3 has literally melted onto them. One of the discs is completely covered in foam. Fortunately the data sides are intact, but as you can see still unplayable as is.

Is there a safe method to remove this foam? I considered just soaking the discs in water but figured someone here has dealt with this problem before.

Thanks in advance!

 

Your image didn't make it, but if the melted foam is softer than the CD surface, you could use car polish to gently rub it off. A rigorous buffing on the data side will clean up light scratches on a CD, so I'd think that light buffing would easily remove the softer foam material without taking off the paint of the surface.

 

Make sure ALL of the foam gets removed...any residue will likely create an off-balance spin if the disc is inserted in a machine, and could break apart, damaging the machine along the way...

 

Crap, don't know why photo didn't go through. Here's another try...

 

cheap cooking oil: corn oil, etc., should do it
rub it into the foam and it should come off

 

Wow, that's worst case of foam rot I've ever seen....
Wonder if that was after market. I've never seen that color before.

 

Thanks friend! I'll give it a go and let you know how it came out.

 

I dunno - looks like a legit Deutchegramofon release, and though the cardboard cover isn't in great shape the booklet is nearly pristine. I'm guessing somebody inherited it from his dad, stored it in the attic for 20 years and found it in the move.

 

I would try luke warm water and dawn.

 

just let the oil soak in, don't rub too vigorously, it should come right off

Same process works for dried glues on cds

 

I don't know what to suggest to most safely remove the foam residue. Just be careful. The label side of the CD is thinner than the play side. It's easier to damage the label side and end up making the disc unplayable. You also don't want to use anything that could soften and remove the printing or ink on the label side.

I'd try soap and water first. I've cleaned CDs with dish soap and water and that hasn't caused any damage to any of my CDs.

 

It depends. It's hard to tell from your picture, but sometimes, the foam reacts with something in the paint on the CD label resulting in permanent damage. I have had this happen to a couple of "fat boy" double CDs. I've also had the foam in my Dylan Biograph box disintegrate without causing any damage, so it seems that not all foam is the same. Foam also caused some discoloration of the technical specs insert of my MOFI UHQR Beatles Sgt. Pepper box. I have tossed all CD foam inserts, and have taken the foam out of my UHQR box sets and stored them separately.

 

Yeah that was my first thought, but this rotted/melted foam is really stuck on there.

 

Classical CDs have never been cheaper. Might be best to toss it and buy another, after requesting photos of the foam insert to verify it’s a good ‘un.

 

It's an opera CD. It needs an aria to lament its unfortunate situation.
From Aida: Oh My CD, I will never play you again.

 

Quick note - never get CDs pressed by Nimbus wet. The silkscreen will crack and peel off if you do, and no-one wants flakes in their CD player. Other manufacturers seem to be fine.

I’ve heard of fatboy foam-rot, but this is the first time I’ve seen it. Grisly.

 

I think I paid $1 for it at the used-CD place, so it's not the end of the world. More a matter of principle at this point.

 

Thats not always true. More times than not I have used very cold water to clean up the ones that get sticky label. Not only took off the sticky, the label came out like new. Warm water will definitely wipe the label off though.

 

Scratch what you can off with your nail after applying Zippo/Swan/Rizla lighter petrol. Then use a cloth doused with lighter petrol to get the residue off. Afterwards clean the disc with soapy water.
If this doesn't work or the process is way too laborious then I would toss the CDs....

 

I'd start with a thorough vaccum job, with the nozzle covered with a slitted piece of velvet, microfiber cloth, etc. Not rubbing it against the surface but "spot touching" the disc only.

Then follow up with one or other of the liquid cleaning advices given here.

 

Nobody has mentioned using Isopropyl Alcohol yet. I'd try in this order:
dish soap and water
isopropyl
lighter fluid
acetone (last resource!)

 

I've seen this exact thing before on a Deutsche Grammophon double CD with exactly the same foam. The CDs were old German ones with the aluminium to the hole in the middle, not a clear centre around the hole, the same as yours. The foam was stuck firmly to the disc.

I tried soap and water. Don't do it! It will take the writing off the disc at least and make it sticky at best. On mine the entire music surface peeled off, leaving a clear plastic disc. Sadly, I think this ones had it. I'd take the advice from someone above and buy another one.

 

I believe the foam has adhered to the printed side of the disc, and all these methods may be too abrasive.

 

...or luke warm water and sunset.

 

I have a few CDs with these kind of foam inserts, some of which have gone the way of our friend's here. Usually classical, but I've just discovered that my original Star Wars fat boy release has one in it.

My question is, should they just be discarded? Is there a legitimate reason to have them in there beyond protection during transit & if so, is there an acknowledged better option to replace these shoddy foam inserts?