Adhesive Labels or Protective Disc Covers on CDs or DVDs: A Big Taboo

[ridgeln]

Ok - I did take a quick look at the US Govt Doc (one of the publishing groups for it being NIST - my father-in-law used to work for them).

"Numerous CD vendors have noted that the thin protective lacquer coating can deteriorate from contact with certain solvents in markers. To eliminate the risk, water-based markers are recommended for CD labeling. As a solvent, alcohol is generally less damaging than xylene and toluene, which are common in aromatic solvent-based markers. According to anecdotal reports, alcohol-based markers can be used to label CDs without causing performance problems. However, there are no explicit lab test results to show what effect solvents in markers have on different CDs or DVDs, particularly over the long term."

and:

"Many vendors sell CD-safe markers, and they vary in ink solution. They should not contain any solvents harmful to CDs or DVDs but should have a permanent quality. For risk-free labeling of any disc, it is best to mark the clear inner hub or the so-called mirror band of the disc, where there are no data."

-ridgeln

[flymuck]

Originally Posted by ridgeln

Ok - I did take a quick look at the US Govt Doc (one of the publishing groups for it being NIST - my father-in-law used to work for them).

"Numerous CD vendors have noted that the thin protective lacquer coating can deteriorate from contact with certain solvents in markers. To eliminate the risk, water-based markers are recommended for CD labeling. As a solvent, alcohol is generally less damaging than xylene and toluene, which are common in aromatic solvent-based markers. According to anecdotal reports, alcohol-based markers can be used to label CDs without causing performance problems. However, there are no explicit lab test results to show what effect solvents in markers have on different CDs or DVDs, particularly over the long term."

and:

"Many vendors sell CD-safe markers, and they vary in ink solution. They should not contain any solvents harmful to CDs or DVDs but should have a permanent quality. For risk-free labeling of any disc, it is best to mark the clear inner hub or the so-called mirror band of the disc, where there are no data."

-ridgeln

Awesome. I'm glad someone was able to get through that thing!

[Lady's Buck]

Ridgeln,

Yeah, I'm an old fart. LOL As for my Lady robbing the cradle, If she did, she was still in diapers.

Don't laugh, I remember all those "pieces of technology." Never had reel to reel, but I sure wanted one. 8-track tapes were "cool." I especially loved it when a long song would cross tracks. LOL. Still have an old receiver with a built-in 8-track "deck" as they used to be called, but no tapes left. Mom got rid of them years ago.

Bought my first VHS VCR in about 1983. Taped a lot of movies from TV broadcasts, and a few from "video disks." Do you remember those? never got very popular, but they were the forerunner to the DVD. About the size of an old vinyl LP. Oh, and what about "Beta?" The Betamax! OMG, when VHS really hit the market, having Beta was like having the plague.

Ah, those were the days. LOL

Todd

[TheRidgester]

Sorry to change the subject, but to lazy right now to search for another CD thread. I read yesterday on msn, now today at the link below that a cd recordable lifespan could be as little as 2 years for your data!
Anyone have cd's years now that can say this aint so!


http://www.rense.com/general52/themythofthe100year.htm

[Lady's Buck]

Hey Ridgester,

From a previous post on this thread from TCJ:

Originally Posted by tcj

I've been a big live-music trader for a long time and have CDRs with Sharpie-type marker writing on them that are 8 or 10 years old, and they still work fine (also negating the continuing stories on how CDRs will only last a few years - I just saw a new report today, in fact.).......

Also, I personally have music CDs from a few years ago that are fine, and one or two data CDs at work that are about 6 or 7 years old. No problems. In my opinion, we are dealing with an industry that prides itself on snookering the public into believing they need things they really don't just to increase sales (see my previous post RE: VHS tapes). They're taking advantage of our ignorance to the technical side of their industry. Call me cynical, but hey, experience has taught me.

Can anyone else add some personal experience to mine and TCJ's?

Todd

[Lady's Buck]

Aibikr,

I think you're right, the video disks I was thinking of were called Laserdisks. I never owned any, but a friend of mine did, when we were in high school. Both of us worked for Radio Shack.

Todd

[mayfielh]

I also have data and audio cds that are well past the 2 year mark. Many bordering on 5 years.

Some of the degredation may come from the storage environment as well. If you leave your cds on your visor in 100+ degree temps the cds are going to fail sooner than a cd kept at 70 degrees.

[Lady's Buck]

Mayfielh,

I think you have assaulted the steel fastener on the cranium. I think the longevity has everything to do with care and maintenance. I see no reason why, with proper care, they shouldn't last indefinitely.

Todd

[mayfielh]

Originally Posted by Lady's Buck

Mayfielh,
I think you have assaulted the steel fastener on the cranium.
Todd

Confused and Complimented (I think)

[Webwader]

He meant you hit the nail on the head, Mayfielh.