renedcruz

iTrader: (8)

Hi.

I have a question about cleaning dust/pollen off of a car. I've researched a bit and realized that many people have said to use a car duster (i.e. California Duster, OXO Duster, etc.) to clean the dust/pollen after your car after it has been cleaned. But it makes me wonder. These car dusters retain the dust that is collected from the car over a long period of time. In essence, wouldn't those dust/pollen particles scratch/ swirl my paint?

I have the California duster and their slogan is "the dirtier it gets, the better it works", but it just doesn't make sense. I've been using it for a while now but I'm scared that this may cause swirling after I get my car detailed for the spring.

What is the best way to remove dust/pollen from a car without scratching/ swirling my paint?

exceldetail

Well, the best, IMO, would be to wash it....Keep the surface as slick as possible to minimize adhesion. Use spray waxes monthly, QD's inbetween.....

chayos00

I noticed that after I got my TL I used the California duster and it swirled the $hit out of it! Don't use it. Short of washing your car, the only thing I found was blowing it off with some compressed air. Around here we tend to get massive dust storms, so depending on how "sticky" your dust/pollen is depends on how well it will blow off. It's not 100% effective, but it makes it look better.

Jesstzn

I'm with Patrick ... wash it ..

Do a google search of pollen and set it to images .. you will see why it scratches
.

SweetJazz

I am a big time fan of the CA Car Duster (wooden handle version only). I think Dale and Patrick can attest to my auto paint OCD. When the weather is good I will use the duster daily. I would not use it or recommend it if I felt that I was marring my auto paint. I cannot speak for the OP but I think most people who have issues with The CA Car Duster are simply using it improperly. The duster can only do so much and that is when washing is the best solution. Heavy dust or pollen is a recipe for disaster if you are trying to use a duster in that situation. One of the biggest mistakes that people make is not shaking out the duster enough during a dusting session. It takes me 10 minutes to go over my car using a duster. I will vigorously shake the duster out about 10 times during the session. Another mistake is not performing the pre-use (air out) step before using a duster for the first time. It takes two days for this process. Since I really hate to wash my car I have a great system for maintaining my car for long periods of time without washing. Check out the link for a thread I created a while back.

How to Perform Daily Paint Maintenance Using the Duster and QD

Aman

Been using the California Car Duster myself for the past few days. IMO it's great, but only for fine dust, so unless you'd be dusting your car one or two times a day, I think your best bet would be to QD it.

renedcruz

iTrader: (8)

I understand what you guys are saying about washing the car but I'm wondering what to do when dust accumulates the day after you wash your car. What do I do in this scenario.

Ex: I wash my car on Sunday and the forecast calls for a sunny week. I literally have to wash my car on Monday to get the dust off? Then on Tuesday to get the dust off? Etc. There has to be another way. I know the California duster and similar products are good but is there an alternative? I mean, I can't wash my car everyday.

stogie1020

ONR or use a lot of QD and a really soft MF towel or 10.

I used to use the CD, but found that the next day, the dust would adhere in the exact pattern the duster was used in, indicating to me that there was a residual substance left behind by the duster. Maybe I didn't air it out right or whatever. I am OK with a couple of days of dust on my car, since I know I am washing it on the weekend and no one is eating sushi off the hood anytime during the week.

Aman

Check out the link SweetJazz posted on using the CD. I'll try that method when it comes dust time.

renedcruz

iTrader: (8)

Thanks guys.

TOGWT

ONR as a Quick Detailer

One of the first rules of paint care (especially noticeable with dark colours); the less you touch the paint surface; the less you’ll scratch it. Washing the car is the most efficient way of removing surface soil, dust, etc.
Quick Detailer (QD) - a typical quick detailer spray is formulated with 80 - 90 % Water, 0.5-1.5% Carnauba wax, 0.1 – 5% Silicone or Mineral oil, so they don’ have the inherent solvent content problems like spray waxes.

If you don’t have time for a two-bucket wash, then use a 1:20 Optimum (OPT) No Rinse Wash™ & Shine New Formula (ONR) / distilled water solution in a fine mist spray bottle.

The surfactants it contains encapsulate and trap dry surface dust, pollen or light dirt particles making them virtually non-abrasive and it can be used without causing scratches. Apply with a long nap micro fibre towel using very little surface pressure, dusting with long strokes in one direction only


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Jesstzn

The other mistane people make using the CD is they rub too hard. Proper method is to just have the tips of the fibers touch the paint.

The only time I will use it is if I have to drive a short distance on clean roads to a car show then I just use it behind the front & rear wheels and around the back bumper and rear of trunk area to lightly remove the dust.

If the accumulation is heavey I use the ONR solution there and a light QD'ing of the rest of the car.

As for settling dust & pollin I don't do either. Pollin is extreemly abrasive . Do a Google image search on it.

krislv

I use the CA duster (daily) no problems with scratches or swirls.

Jesstzn

What color is your car?

krislv

Gold

Jesstzn

I doubt you'd see the micro-marring on that color.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

how do you guys clean the ca dusters?

Jesstzn

Shake it often... outsdie of that there isn't a way ... the fibers have a parafin wax on them and thats what picks up and traps the dirt.

SweetJazz

I will usually just purchase another duster if it gets too dirty. I have successfully washed the mop in woolite with cold water and let air dry. The latter method can extend the life of the mop but I think it is best to just buy another duster.

DAB TSX

i use a ca duster on my black tsx 2 or 3 times a day just touch it with the tip of the duster and shake it often .i know black is like a dust magnet

slickooz

I would stay away from the duster. Just use detail spray or waterless wash to remove dusting. Use a high quality 16x24 MF and fold it into 3 times so you have 8 clean surface to work on.

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

the solution to this problem is to get a silver or white car....otherwise, you already know, if your car is dark, 5 minutes after you wash it, its dirty again!!