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So I have a black C7 and live in AZ. The car is almost never dirty but I will wash and wax it one day and it will be dusty the next day and I’m sick of washing it just to remove dust. any tips for removing dust? Compressed air? Feather dusters? Thanks for any tips
The type of dust we have in AZ won't be removed with a duster or blower. A duster just pushes it around on the car for the most part and a blower is absolutely worthless. You need a slick detail spray as mentioned above. Bead Maker or some of the other fine slick detailers work great without leaving swirl marks in the paint. I do it every day with Bead Maker. Long Beach Red is pretty much as difficult to keep clean as black is.
Also Wolfgang Uber rinseless wash can be mixed with distilled water for a great detail spray.
No matter what product you choose first try it on a small inconspicuous area of the car first and make sure you are satisfied with the results.
Do NOT use a CA Duster. It can push grit across the paint and cause swirl marks. A good product as a compromise between a detail spray and full-on hose washing is a rinseless wash as indicated by Joe. I use "No-Rinse" that I get from Autogeek, but they're probably all similar. I like it because there's a lot more liquid used than when using a detail spray so the dust floats more rather than being pushed, which still occurs to some extent with a detail spray. Also, embrace the black. I had 2 darker blue cars and, yes, not as bad as black...but the contrast between dusty and clean was remarkable. Now, with Watkins Glen Grey, washing the car doesn't improve it that much.
Don't even attempt to dust a black car as it will result in swirl marks and scratches regardless of the method used. You can get by dusting some colors, but not black.
I edited the two quotes for the “facts, just the facts”.
I’ve owned half a dozen black vehicles over the years, and still haven’t figured out the magic solution keeping them clean, and avoiding the dreaded swirls, other than PPFing the whole car.
The duster is what you need. You can carry it with you for quick wipe downs anywhere. I've had mine for 10 years and would not be with out one again.
Originally Posted by IAIA
Do NOT use a CA Duster. It can push grit across the paint and cause swirl marks. A good product as a compromise between a detail spray and full-on hose washing is a rinseless wash as indicated by Joe. I use "No-Rinse" that I get from Autogeek, but they're probably all similar. I like it because there's a lot more liquid used than when using a detail spray so the dust floats more rather than being pushed, which still occurs to some extent with a detail spray. Also, embrace the black. I had 2 darker blue cars and, yes, not as bad as black...but the contrast between dusty and clean was remarkable. Now, with Watkins Glen Grey, washing the car doesn't improve it that much.
IAIA has an opinion and I respect that, but I have never had swirl marks or issue. Lightly dust the car, not scrub the car, and it removes not only environmental dust but also brake dust. That Sir, is just my opinion.
Last edited by Steve Garrett; Nov 27, 2019 at 08:14 AM.
Reason: Merged Posts-please use the Multi-Quote button to make your response look like this.
You need a slick detail spray as mentioned above. Bead Maker or some of the other fine slick detailers work great without leaving swirl marks in the paint. I do it every day with Bead Maker.
Big fan of the Bead.You say everyday.Have you tried a delicate light furniture duster? You may save some time and Bead?
Black is not for the Lazy.It also depends how Fussy you are.Must have slick surface.Cool surface temps are crucial with Black.No sun when your cleaning.
The Ceramic Club may chime in.Maybe a Ceramic coating then a lightly furniture duster to maintain?Or just don't be so fussy and drive it.
My duster has a minor oil / lubricant solution on its weaved strings - as a result, I thought it picks up the dust and doesn't drag it... Am I mistaken?
You are correct; the strings pick up the dust and grit - which is then dragged over the surface of the car as you keep using the duster, getting worse with each use.
Last edited by Elk; Nov 27, 2019 at 09:56 AM.
Reason: Typo
I don't have black but have had in the past. I use compressed air to hopefully remove any dust or grip and then hit it with the duster and afterward I blow it off with coomp. air.
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I use a California Duster to LIGHTLY go over the surface of the car than follow up with some Adam’s detail spray and a microfiber towel. Quick and effective on my car which is Torch Red.
I will use a California Duster to remove interior dust (fabric/carpet fibers etc) from my Blade Silver GS between washings. However after it's been outside and accumulated exterior dust (the damaging kind, dirt/sand particles) then no California Duster until next wash.
Originally Posted by bjones7131
I don't have black but have had in the past. I use compressed air to hopefully remove any dust or grip and then hit it with the duster and afterward I blow it off with coomp. air.
Exterior dust combined with compressed air equals a sand blaster.
I will use a California Duster to remove interior dust (fabric/carpet fibers etc) from my Blade Silver GS between washings. However after it's been outside and accumulated exterior dust (the damaging kind, dirt/sand particles) then no California Duster until next wash.
Exterior dust combined with compressed air equals a sand blaster.
Never an issue, I am talking about light dust NOT sand but car is white so it does't show like a dark color. Works for me anyway
When I visited Korea a few years ago, the traffic light stop times were so long that the drivers got out with their feather dusters and dusted off their cars. Some even engaged in conversations with other drivers before getting back into their cars. It seemed like about 4 or 5 minutes.
Do NOT use a CA Duster. It can push grit across the paint and cause swirl marks. A good product as a compromise between a detail spray and full-on hose washing is a rinseless wash as indicated by Joe. I use "No-Rinse" that I get from Autogeek, but they're probably all similar. I like it because there's a lot more liquid used than when using a detail spray so the dust floats more rather than being pushed, which still occurs to some extent with a detail spray. Also, embrace the black. I had 2 darker blue cars and, yes, not as bad as black...but the contrast between dusty and clean was remarkable. Now, with Watkins Glen Grey, washing the car doesn't improve it that much.
No the duster does not scratch the finish if you use it correctly. I would always recommend dusting before the detail spray as well. The duster picks the dust up. You barely touch the surface and you don't use it to scrub the car lol.... People with 20k dollar paint jobs use the duster on their black cars. Matter a fact go to any car show and you will see most use them before they detail..