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Old May 14, 2023 | 01:13 PM
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Default Car Duster

Hey Guys and Gals.....I have a real problem here. I have a 2017 Stingray convertible in Long Beach Red. I had the car Ceramic Coated before I took delivery. My issue is what do you guys use to DUST OFF your cars? I have tried a California Car Duster but it is making swirl marks in the ceramic coating. I cannot wash it everyday, but up here in Canada we have a lot of dust. I think I picked the wrong colour.

Can someone advise me on what to use. I have to dust it everyday up here....

If I keep on washing it daily I will have arms like POPEYE....LOL...LOL

Thx.....hope someone can help me.....

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May 14, 2023, 04:12 PM
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After each drive, I use a California Duster, gently applied to the car's surface, to remove the dust. I follow up with a microfiber towel and some Adam's Detail Spray. Makes the car shine and I have not experienced and swirl marks or damage to the paint.
Old May 14, 2023 | 01:37 PM
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Anything that touches the paint without lubrication will scratch it.

Cleaning it daily seems a little excessive. Perhaps reduce your routine to weekly, see how you feel about washing it then.
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Old May 14, 2023 | 01:39 PM
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I have never believed in the California Duster. First off who did the Ceramic coating? If it was one of those dealer addon, not sure how good it is. If you took it to a true professional detailer, I would go back and see him about the swirls and what he recommends.
If yours is a daily driver there is not much you can do to keep it 100% clean. A good waterless wash or a detail spray made for cleaning a dusty car is one way. I use Adam's Detail products and I have coated mine with his Graphene Ceramic coating and I use his Graphene Detail Spray if the car has light dirt on it and if it is a littler dirtier, the Graphene SC3 Spray. Chech out his web site.
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Old May 14, 2023 | 02:05 PM
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This is definitely a real problem.

Is this car garage kept?

I have a California duster and love it. How exactly does a CD leave swirl marks? Your using it in a circular motion?

Have you tried a leaf blower?
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Old May 14, 2023 | 03:06 PM
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https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...discussion-10/

I highly recommend posting over there, too.
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Old May 14, 2023 | 03:25 PM
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I have the same dilemma that you do. I've just come to the conclusion that if you don't want to scratch it, you'll just have to leave it alone. Unless you have an air cannon and can blow the dust off.
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Old May 14, 2023 | 04:03 PM
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A good rinseless wash. You want a clean car it's gonna cost ya some elbow work.
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Old May 14, 2023 | 04:12 PM
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After each drive, I use a California Duster, gently applied to the car's surface, to remove the dust. I follow up with a microfiber towel and some Adam's Detail Spray. Makes the car shine and I have not experienced and swirl marks or damage to the paint.
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Old May 14, 2023 | 05:15 PM
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The only thing you can do is use a waterless wash to lubricant, then wipe off with a waffle weave towel in a straight path. This will definitely minimize any swirls.
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Old May 14, 2023 | 05:37 PM
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For me California car duster, there are different grades and the one you want it the wood handle one as it has more fibers or threads. Never use it on a hot car or in the sun as this will create marking and dissolve the paraffin wax that is in it, the older (dirtier) it is the better it works, last thing is go over your car with it slow not fast as this is not a race, also plop it down on the car so it is centered with fibers out on all sides so your not dragging it. I have three of them and one of them is over 20 years old still works great
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Old May 14, 2023 | 07:12 PM
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I've found the key to using a California duster is having VERY little contact or pressure on it. Let the paraffin in the mop do it's job. For seriously dusty times I'll use a leaf blower to remove as much as I can and don't use it in a circular motion. Straight line running with the length of the car.
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Old May 14, 2023 | 07:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Vetteman Jack
After each drive, I use a California Duster, gently applied to the car's surface, to remove the dust. I follow up with a microfiber towel and some Adam's Detail Spray. Makes the car shine and I have not experienced and swirl marks or damage to the paint.
Same routine here, no problems with swirl marks.
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Old May 14, 2023 | 07:53 PM
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California car dusters present too much risk. I wash with the correct methods and then cover in the garage. After the cover comes off the next time it’s touched is the next wash. a good wash is superior to waterless wash products. If it’s a car that is going to be driven it’s going to get dusty/dirty. For some of my cars they enjoy a complete wash after every drive. For my daily it can go 2 weeks before a thorough cleaning. I’d rather see dust in my car than scratches from some little piece of crap that got caught in a duster and dragged across the surface.
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Old May 14, 2023 | 07:58 PM
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I believe most pro detailers have damned the idea of the Cali duster. It retains the dirt from last use and there are better ways recommended. I use a detail spray. Griots is really good but Meguiares available at wal mart works just fine as well. A clean microfiber towel is your friend. Flip often.
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Old May 14, 2023 | 08:42 PM
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I’ve been using California Dusters on my Corvettes for 25 years. The key is to hold the weight of the duster above the paint surface while just moving the hanging fibers across the paint. I then detail the car with a microfiber cloth and Zaino Z6 detail spray.




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Old May 14, 2023 | 10:13 PM
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Wash it off. Dusting simply rubs the dust/grit around, as you've already discovered.
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Old May 14, 2023 | 11:14 PM
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We use a California Duster and have for years, no problems yet. And, yes, dust, don't press down at all.
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Old May 15, 2023 | 12:10 AM
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To me dusting a car is like dragging a piece of sandpaper across it . Since I had my car ceramic waxed the dust pretty much just blows off when I drive it. The ceramic made a huge difference.
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Old May 15, 2023 | 03:08 AM
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Been using the CD since '17 and have experienced no swirl or other marks after using it. As posted, a light touch allowing only the fibers to touch the car is essential.
My '19 was ceramic coated as soon as I got it and still has a gorgeous shine.
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Old May 15, 2023 | 07:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Zjoe6
A good rinseless wash. You want a clean car it's gonna cost ya some elbow work.
So true.NOT FOR THE LAZY
Dust is a issue..Well,Depending on Amount of buildup.Finish must be lubricated with your favorite detail spray and or spray wax.The CLOTH is key.A ADAMS thick pile 2 sided polishing towel is worth the extra cabbage.
Out of sun and cooler temps are key to less scratching when removal of the CRUD


I even use these on the gloss black rims to cut down on scratches.
I thought ceramics are simply a Blow off.Well,I would say depends on your paint preparation to be completely hydrophobic and smooth 😉


Last edited by DALE#3; May 15, 2023 at 07:47 AM.
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