California Duster
02-24-2014, 09:46 AM
#21
Moderator
Care and Cleaning: The California Car Dusters work best when they’re dirty. Just shake them out before and after each use. Should your duster ever become so dirty that it requires an actual cleaning, just wash it in cold water with a mild detergent (like Woolite) and let it air dry.
02-24-2014, 09:46 AM
#22
Race Director
Member Since: Sep 2013
Location: Ft Lauderdale
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Tech Contributor
I will say if the car is DIRTY--- bird spots, mud marks, etc...you need a wash....this is for dust. My car sits in a parking garage and is clean, just gets a layer of light dust on it from some nearby construction. This is why it's called a DUSTER.....it gets dust and does not scratch, but will scratch if you're asking too much of it. It' s not a magic product.
02-24-2014, 10:48 AM
#24
Race Director
I have used them for years but never on an unprotected car. I always build up 2-3 coats of Zaino first, then the duster just glides over the surface never actually touching the paint. In No. Texas when the wind blows it picks up the dust from 100s of miles away, it seems, and deposits it all on your car. I wipe it off every day and have never seen any scratching.
02-24-2014, 10:50 AM
#25
Le Mans Master
I've been using the same on since 2004 on all my cars, works great. Between than and spray detailer, it really helps extend the time between washes.
02-24-2014, 02:30 PM
#26
Instructor
I've had my C7 Premier edition since early December with about 1500 miles on the car to date. I have never washed the car once, between the duster and the quick detailer it hasn't been necessary.
02-24-2014, 02:34 PM
#27
Le Mans Master
I have for years. ...
Pros: It works really well. It picks up dust and does the job.
Cons: The fibers are embedded with a kind of wax to pick up the dust. The wax can (particularly with a new one), leave a residue that actually attracts MORE dust.
The best ones are the ones with wooden handles. Their are cheaper ones with plastic.
My suggestion is to not use a knock off. These guys do make the best one of their class. It's not a great tool for cleaning a car but it is great for a quick touch up on a dusty or windy day.
Leave it always in the sleeve. If you don't, the wax may leech out slowly over time into fabrics.
My feeling is... they actually get better with age. Just shake out the dust far away from the car and put it back in the sleeve.
Pros: It works really well. It picks up dust and does the job.
Cons: The fibers are embedded with a kind of wax to pick up the dust. The wax can (particularly with a new one), leave a residue that actually attracts MORE dust.
The best ones are the ones with wooden handles. Their are cheaper ones with plastic.
My suggestion is to not use a knock off. These guys do make the best one of their class. It's not a great tool for cleaning a car but it is great for a quick touch up on a dusty or windy day.
Leave it always in the sleeve. If you don't, the wax may leech out slowly over time into fabrics.
My feeling is... they actually get better with age. Just shake out the dust far away from the car and put it back in the sleeve.
02-24-2014, 02:37 PM
#28
Melting Slicks
I use 2 California Dusters, a smaller one for the Brake Dust on the Chrome Wheels and the 2nd larger duster for the paint. I have been using them for years.
02-24-2014, 04:31 PM
#30
Le Mans Master
I will say if the car is DIRTY--- bird spots, mud marks, etc...you need a wash....this is for dust. My car sits in a parking garage and is clean, just gets a layer of light dust on it from some nearby construction. This is why it's called a DUSTER.....it gets dust and does not scratch, but will scratch if you're asking too much of it. It' s not a magic product.
02-24-2014, 04:43 PM
#31
Race Director
Member Since: Sep 2013
Location: Ft Lauderdale
Posts: 10,425
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Tech Contributor
Dunno.....Just really got my first one a month or two ago… I will say it will leaves marks if you don't follow the directions and lay it out for 48 hours on newspaper before you use it afirst time and then the first two/three times you use it, it will leave a little bit of paraffin marks that instantly come off with a microfiber
now it's perfect I really like it
now it's perfect I really like it
02-24-2014, 05:07 PM
#32
Burning Brakes
I have used the same ca duster for 10 years. Never been washed.
3 Porsches, 2 Ferraris, 2 Vettes, 1 BMW, 2 MB, and on my wife's and son's cars. I use the large one with the wooden handle ( red cloth )
Fantastic -never a problem with scratches or anything.
3 Porsches, 2 Ferraris, 2 Vettes, 1 BMW, 2 MB, and on my wife's and son's cars. I use the large one with the wooden handle ( red cloth )
Fantastic -never a problem with scratches or anything.
02-24-2014, 07:16 PM
#35
Melting Slicks
Personally, these dusters will never touch another car that I own. Living in Arizona you would think a duster would be convenient and they are until you notice all of the micro scratches all over the car that you only see under direct light. I'm too detail conscious to live with that. For most people they are fine, for me I would rather let a little dust accumulate until i can properly wash and wax, than potentially drag something across the paint that could scratch it.
I keep a bottle of Chemical Guys quick detail spray and a bag of micro fiber cloths with my car instead. Not a perfect solution but good for bug guts and road grime when I don't have time to give a full wash.
I keep a bottle of Chemical Guys quick detail spray and a bag of micro fiber cloths with my car instead. Not a perfect solution but good for bug guts and road grime when I don't have time to give a full wash.
02-24-2014, 08:07 PM
#36
Racer
Been using these for several years,however i usually change it after 2 years ( overkill).I will only use it when there is light dust on the car but is otherwise clean ie no built up dirt,bird poop etc.
Never had any issues except when new it leaves some of the red fabric dust behind.
Never had any issues except when new it leaves some of the red fabric dust behind.
02-24-2014, 09:37 PM
#38
Le Mans Master
Dunno.....Just really got my first one a month or two ago… I will say it will leaves marks if you don't follow the directions and lay it out for 48 hours on newspaper before you use it afirst time and then the first two/three times you use it, it will leave a little bit of paraffin marks that instantly come off with a microfiber
now it's perfect I really like it
now it's perfect I really like it
or 
02-24-2014, 11:53 PM
#39
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Mar 2006
Location: Land of the free, home of the brave...
Posts: 3,174
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Not impressed
Leaves some parafin streaks even following the "break in" procedure. NEVER use it when the finish is hot, parafin (which we all know is a wax) will leave bigger streaks because its melting.
Not a fan of running anything over the finish of a vehicle with any dust or dirt...
I only clean with water and car soap. Dry with an electric leaf blower.
Not a fan of running anything over the finish of a vehicle with any dust or dirt...
I only clean with water and car soap. Dry with an electric leaf blower.
Last edited by Crossed Flags Fan; 02-24-2014 at 11:55 PM.
02-25-2014, 04:14 AM
#40
I've had mine for years. When it gets very dirty, I throw it into the washing machine then let it air dry. After drying, I rub all the fibers really well with "Gulf Wax" and it's like brand-new again.