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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 08:38 PM
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Default Car Dusters

I've never done this for fear of scratching my car finish, but I did a search here and it seems quite a few people dust their cars between washes with very good results.

Is there any trick to avoid scratches while dusting, or is just a matter of having a good duster?

It seems the standard has been set by the California Car Duster and while looking for info on it I came across a similar one from Turtle Wax. As far as I can tell they look as if they are in the same league, but the Turtle Wax is almost 50% less than the California. Has anybody had any experience with it?
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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 09:00 PM
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Watched California Dusters for YEARS as a skeptic. P/O of my Z told me to get one. They are terrific. Know nothing of the Turtle one.
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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 09:09 PM
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Have always used the California Duster on my cars. Never had a problem with them scratching the paint. Have not seen one of the dusters by Turtle Wax.
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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 09:39 PM
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They have them that look exactly like that at Wal-mart $9.95 But if MINE has dust on it I just hose it down and chamios dry, takes about20 minutes.
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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 10:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Dixiecrat
They have them that look exactly like that at Wal-mart $9.95 But if MINE has dust on it I just hose it down and chamios dry, takes about20 minutes.
I really wanna get a Cali duster...was fearing the same thing about scratches...but I ONLY use my leaf blower to dry it... only paid $20 for an electric one at the pawn shop!
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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 10:16 PM
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If it is light dust I use my California Duster, if heavy dust (rarely) I flush with water and microfiber towel dry. No swirls in the past 3 yrs.
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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 10:23 PM
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I have been using California Car Duster for about 10 years. Love it.
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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 10:24 PM
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Ca. duster worked for me except where we now live. We have volcanic ash dust and the duster put swirls and scratchs in the clear coat and had to have them buffed out. The dust here is very abrasive and I have to blow it off with air before washing it. Have always used Ca. duster before with no ploblems.
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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 10:24 PM
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Originally Posted by CharlestonTiger38
I really wanna get a Cali duster...was fearing the same thing about scratches...but I ONLY use my leaf blower to dry it... only paid $20 for an electric one at the pawn shop!
Good idea on the blower. I should try that on my custom truck I have.

I have used a Cali duster on my custom trucks for years with no issues. I have a regular one and a mini-duster. I have dropped them on a wet ground before and hosed/washed it out really well and let it air dry to avoid any dirt/rock being stuck in it and scratching my paint. No problems here, they are very nice.
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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 10:29 PM
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I've used California Dusters since my street rod days.
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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 10:32 PM
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Originally Posted by olbear1962
If it is light dust I use my California Duster, if heavy dust (rarely) I flush with water and microfiber towel dry. No swirls in the past 3 yrs.
and that is the key...LIGHT dust ..I've seen people use them on a filthy dirty car that should be washed but people get lazy and use the duster = scratched paint.light dusting only and good to go
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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 10:37 PM
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Originally Posted by FrankTank
and that is the key...LIGHT dust ..I've seen people use them on a filthy dirty car that should be washed but people get lazy and use the duster = scratched paint.light dusting only and good to go
I second that. I use it to dust off my cars when they are basically clean underneath, just dusty from garage air, etc. I do not use them to clean the cars and I don't press them down, just a light dusting.
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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 11:19 PM
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I have used the SAME California Duster since 1994, and it works better now than ever before.

The key is to remember that it is for light dust, not "cleaning" your dirty car. I use mine every time I drive, and then Quick Detail the AE so it is ready for the next drive. No scratches, no issues.

Good Luck
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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 11:30 PM
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Originally Posted by ALLEGRO
I have used the SAME California Duster since 1994, and it works better now than ever before.

The key is to remember that it is for light dust, not "cleaning" your dirty car. I use mine every time I drive, and then Quick Detail the AE so it is ready for the next drive. No scratches, no issues.

Good Luck


I do the exact same thing. I've been using my California Duster since 2006 with no problems and it works even better now then it did the day i bought it.
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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 11:48 PM
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I like mine. Remember, it's a duster, not a cleaner....no rubbing.

I especially like my small one for the dash. Quick clean, no liquids and it gets in the vents pretty good and into other crevices.
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Old Apr 24, 2012 | 12:35 AM
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Originally Posted by ALLEGRO
I have used the SAME California Duster since 1994, and it works better now than ever before.

The key is to remember that it is for light dust, not "cleaning" your dirty car. I use mine every time I drive, and then Quick Detail the AE so it is ready for the next drive. No scratches, no issues.

Good Luck
Only way to go
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Old Apr 24, 2012 | 12:37 AM
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Originally Posted by GCG
It seems the standard has been set by the California Car Duster and while looking for info on it I came across a similar one from Turtle Wax. As far as I can tell they look as if they are in the same league, but the Turtle Wax is almost 50% less than the California. Has anybody had any experience with it?
Buy the original Calif Duster, not worth messing with this tiny amount of savings
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Old Apr 24, 2012 | 12:53 AM
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If you let the CA duster slightly touch the paint you will avoid scratches, never apply pressure.
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Old Apr 24, 2012 | 06:41 AM
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Have been using the California Duster since I got the Vette, but found myself using it for other vehicles. Saw the Turtle Wax copy and bought it. It seems to be close copy, just a bit lighter on the "mop". has same petroleum/wax treatment, but not as heavy as the CD.

Worked great for dusting furniture in the house, so much so that I'm getting one of their dash dusters. Oh it worked great on the cars also.

I also just use it for light dust, and after use of the Vette. follow up with McGuire detail spray
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Old Apr 24, 2012 | 06:59 AM
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Agree with all of the last posts. Light dust, don't rub. I also use my blower, but I have a RedMaxx professional model. Great for dust and any other stuff that lands on the cars. It's so powerful I can clean the covers, clean out water from the "PITA areas" after a wash, and I rarely vacuum the interiors. Open all the doors, remove/secure anything you have a fondness for, and blast away. Worked great on my Xterra after my DW and DD took home 13 ripped bags of mulch. (It was a good deal)
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