I have seen several websites indicate that Sharpie permanent markers have chemicals that can damage a dvd or parts of it. Ive used Sharpies quite a bit and have had coasters....just wondering if this is fact or myth...

(I use the sharpie thats NOT fine point...the soft wider bottom)

i still got cd-r's from the mid 90's with sharpie on them still workin beautiful. i don't do it anymore just to be on the safe side though. there are "special markers" at walmart for writing on recordable media, which i'd bet are nothing more than glorified sharpies

hmm, but dvd's are different in terms of materials/dyes...

the label is a different material?

the bottom of the dvd, its different dyes and chemicals/texture than a cd

well i don't know then. i thought it was that the label got damaged and messed up the reflective layer. in any event, i'm gonna have to go with the "better safe than looking at a stack of coasters" theory

It is unsafe to mark the label side of a CD with a sharpie. But it is relatively safe to mark a DVD. A CD's writing layer is just beneath the label side of the disk so petrol based markers can penetrate and damage the recording layer. The writing layer of a DVD is not directly under the top label side of the disk so is way less prone to marker damage.

Still, markers labeled safe for DVD's is a better choice than petrol based sharpies. I'm sure the Walmart ones are ok. I like and buy the Staedtler line of "Lumicolor / "Permenant" (erasable with alcohol) CD/DVD markers available or orderable from most art supply stores. The Staedtler website uses alot of irritatingly complex java crap, so it's a little difficult to post you an exact link but just click on products> lumcolor> CD/DVD or similar. Damn, I hate their website! Some jerk go paid for designing it and probably thinks he is the sh*ts!
http://www.staedtler.us/

Whisperer

the ones at walmart i believe are maxell

[quote=
The Staedtler website uses alot of irritatingly complex java crap, so it's a little difficult to post you an exact link but just click on products> lumcolor> CD/DVD or similar. Damn, I hate their website! Some jerk go paid for designing it and probably thinks he is the sh*ts!

Whisperer[/QUOTE]

The site is using frames (great 90's technology) - here is a direct link.


STAEDTLER® CD/DVD markers

So OK! dewd wins the booby doll prize! I could not get that link to post!!!!!

Look at what is actually under that simple, innocuous looking Staedtler link (STAEDTLER® CD/DVD markers) you posted:

http://www.staedtler-usa.com/Lumocolor_cd_dvd_pen_us.Staedtler?ActiveID=24222"][http://www.staedtler-usa.com/Lumocolor_cd_dvd_pen_us.Staedtler?ActiveID=24222"] STAEDTLER® CD/DVD markers

!
Whisperer