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I have a new to me 2012 Base coupe in Crystal Red Metallic. Beautiful car, almost flawless original paint. But here in the Southeast the pollen is out and my Crystal Red Metallic should be called Crystal Red Magnetic, because it is attracting the yellow dust like a magnet. I refuse to keep the car in the garage on these beautiful spring days, but was weary of washing it more than once a week. The other day I took it out, came home all yellow but before I put it back in the garage I took one of those Swiffer Dusting things and wiped the car down. Wow. Back in the day we would use those California Dusters. But this thing worked great. A lot cheaper than the Duster. and the car came out perfect. Just don't let on to your significant other...that you know how to use these things. You might find yourself doing the rest of the house...while your at it!
I don't think I would be using one of those on my car as it is made to use on a floor not paint. To further add I have a California Duster and do not use it to get pollen off my car. I spray mine down with a water hose and then give it a quick wash, Mine is Monterey Red and shows the pollen like yours. Mine is also a vert so the yellowish tint on the black dash is fun to clean as well. Use products designed for paint not floors.
I’m on the southeast too and I use my blower on the car when the pollen is out. Takes it right off and you don’t have to worry about scratching the paint, which that swiffer will do over time. I blow the car off after most rides actually. Takes all of a minute tops.
The less touching of the paint the better off you are. Leaf blower would be a good way to go during pollen season. After the pollen stops do a clay bar polish and seal.
You can wash the car every day if you want. Just make sure you have a good method, or you will end up with swirls and fine scratches. I have the Monterey Red Matelic and live in Florida, so I understand your issue. I use my air compressor and a blower nozzle to remove the vast majority of the pollen. I then use a waterless wash to remove the dust and pollen that the compressed air did not remove.
Another consideration is pollen AND the relative humidity. Here in the PNW... often times the pollen will "stick" to the clear coat due to the higher humidity. The only solution is to use water to remove the yellow stuff and then dry the car in-doors. Sadly... "rinse & repeat" takes on an onerous connotation during the pollen season! 1st world problem baby!!
Not an expert, but I'd be cautious with the Swiffer, primarily because they're dry. There's a good chance you'll experience spider webs in the paint after extended use. California Dusters are waxed soaked cotton - which helps prevent it from micro-scratching the paint.
... but was weary of washing it more than once a week..
Originally Posted by schizcat
Why?
Haven't you learned that when Corvettes get wet they melt. Or is it just rain water that melts them? LOL. Of course I'm joking. I would imagine he's saying it's just a pain to wash the car multiple times a week or on a daily basis.
First I need to say I am NOT using the floor Swiffer thing. I know the difference between hardwood and fiberglass. They also make a product for dusting. If you look at the pic I added in the first post it shows a pretty good image of it. Almost like a feather duster only milder. In fact I hardly had to touch the surface of the car. And I have used the leaf blower, but I am trying to share a solution where I don't need to worry about banging the car with the leaf blower.As OlyC6 mentioned, we have the same humidity issues here in SC. A lot of times the stuff just doesn't blow off easily. And I have used the clay to fine polish it. As for washing more than once a week, I have always had a policy of washing any car I have once a week. If it gets dirty the following day, bath time isn't for another 6 days. In my life it is a PAIN to wash this car or any other more than once a week. Life is too short to spend washing a car. And the vehicles in the family fleet usually last at least 10 years and most hit close to 200K miles, so they are well taken care of. And they usually look good as new. At the end of the day it's all good. Thanks for being part of the discussion.
I have a new to me 2012 Base coupe in Crystal Red Metallic. Beautiful car, almost flawless original paint. But here in the Southeast the pollen is out and my Crystal Red Metallic should be called Crystal Red Magnetic, because it is attracting the yellow dust like a magnet. I refuse to keep the car in the garage on these beautiful spring days, but was weary of washing it more than once a week. The other day I took it out, came home all yellow but before I put it back in the garage I took one of those Swiffer Dusting things and wiped the car down. Wow. Back in the day we would use those California Dusters. But this thing worked great. A lot cheaper than the Duster. and the car came out perfect. Just don't let on to your significant other...that you know how to use these things. You might find yourself doing the rest of the house...while your at it!
Imo the residue it leaves may make it attract more pollen....I live in the yellow zone too and I use the California duster a couple times a day in spring...
Cleaning tip
