e6bailey

I have been using a California duster on my Corvette and Camaro for about 10 years now. I was recently told by the guy that restores cars and has done paint work for me that the California duster is the worse thing to use on paint and that it scratched the clear coat.

He said the best thing to use that will not do any damage is a Swiffer.

I am not sold on the swiffer and not sure if the Cali Duster is really scratching the paint or not. My Camaro was repainted about 6 years ago and definitely now has surface swirls and scratches (black car). I am wondering how much is to blame to the Duster.

What do you guys use to dust?

0Adam's Polish

Dry dust removal is a recipe for inducing major swirls and scratches into your finish.

For light dust/dirt removal, our Waterless Wash is perfect. It emulsifies and suspends the particle of dust off the surface, and when you wipe it with our waffle wave towels, safely lifts the dust form your paint without scratching it.

Take a look at this video to get a better idea of the process:

Snowwolfe

For many years I used a microfiber cloth. Sometimes I spray the cloth with detailing spray, sometimes just the surface of the car. The cloth is folded up and I use one section at a time then refold the cloth and repeat. Normally takes about 3-4 clothes to do the entire car.
Recently purchased a California duster and it seems to do a decent job but old habits are hard to break and still find myself reaching for the detailing spray and microfiber cloth.

CyberGrayGS

Like snowwolfe, I use several high quality microfiber cloths, with detailing spray.

CheckeredFlag

Finish Kare 425

my personal favorite

LSnights09

I really only use them for pollen season and that's it. And I would suggest getting a microfiber style duster and not the California brand, because those are made with wax embedded fibers, which tend to keep the dust. The microfiber dusters release the dust when you shake them out.

They are definitely not safe for anything more than a dusting of pollen, and I still go over the car with detail spray/microfiber cloth after I use it.

envyz06

Pollen is some of the most abrasive dust that lands on your car. Dusters are never the way to go.

LSnights09

I've never had a problem as long as it's not a heavy coating of pollen. No swirls, no scratches, nada.

Scuba Ghost

Been using the California Duster since 2004. Never a problem with scratches or swirl marks. The trick is very little pressure.

dvilin

Been using the California Duster for 5+ years no problems as long as you use it lightly and the dust is just that a light coat of dust.

JVM225

Been using the California Duster for about 15 years on light dust that gets on my cleans cars while sitting in the garage with no problems. The trick is to just run it very lightly over the finish. There should be no pressure at all. I just let the ends of the strands touch the finish. The dust is pulled up in to the duster.
Don't use the duster in place of a car wash though. If the car is dirty it needs to be cleaned, not dusted.

Rich Mickol

capevettes

I have also been using the California car duster for many years with no issues at all. As long as the car isn't dirty and it's minor dust I think they are fine. I think it's nonsense to wash a car that is clean. I use the duster and then a spray detailer with a good microfiber.

0Killrwheels@Autogeek

I prefer to use Ultima's Waterless Wash and several super thick and super soft MF towels. The nap of the towel pulls any dirt up and away from the surface, and the lubrication helps to loosen anything stuck on paint.


http://www.autogeek.net/ultima-water...ncentrate.html

DAV162

I use the California Duster. Question I have about Ultima's is you wipe the the dust harder than you would be with a California Duster or am I missing something. It seems that the duster is more effective at remove dust without creating scratches from the dust than hand wiping.

0Killrwheels@Autogeek

The duster has paraffin wax on its strands so it captures the dirt and it cannot move up and away from the finish. If you get something abrasive (think pollen or sand) and you keep wiping it against the finish it will cause marring.

A soft MF towel has more of an ability to pull these contaminents up and away from the surface. Flipping the towel again and again also exposes a fresh surface. Ultima acts like a lubricant to help the towel slide across the finish and its ingredients help to break up dirt and loosen it also.

e6bailey

Is a micro fiber towel a micro fiber towel or is one brand better then another?

Flh Den

I also have been using a California duster for many years with no problems at all, but as stated above use it correctly. If it just a dusting between washes I blow the car down first with a commercial HVLP turbine which is basically a master blaster. We happen to have them for work. Then very lightly with the tips of the duster only wipe the dust off very lightly, and shake it out good after every panel. I have never scratched a car yet using this method, but I scratched my wife's new Lexus trying the ultima waterless wash+. I thought I did everything correctly and ended up having to buff out the roof and trunk lid on her new White Lexus. I do like the waterless wash as a QD, but I personally will never try washing a car again in that fashion. The car wasn't even that dirty.

0Killrwheels@Autogeek

The challenge with towels is you cannot always tell those sold in bulk bags if they are 1st quality or 2nds (blemishes). You could have a bag and 10 are great and two aren't. I tend to purchase all my towels from two sources which appear to offer the best in towels. Autogeek is indeed one of those choices.


unfortunately even high pressure blowers do not remove all contaminents on paint. Try blowing off birdie doo-doo or dried on egg. Ever seen how quickly pollen attaches to paint ?? As for Ultima, all products have a learning curve and best practices. I tend to still do a traditional wash over all other methods, but can use products like Ultima and ONR without marring. It takes time, care, and practice.
** one hint, use it as a spray to loosen dirt and start the process, then make two buckets of water one for rinse and the other with Ultima. (consider Grit Gards)

DevilDog II

I've also used the California Duster for years and as you said, the key is very light pressure. I also "shake" mine out frequently when using it.