California Duster myths

Crispy

Crispy

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I have been reading a lot of information about this dust remover that personally doesn't ring true. My DD is polished and protected (sealant and wax on top). I use the California Duster almost every day (due to construction dust depoisted every day). I have experienced ZERO problems.

Why would the duster impart any damage?

It is less aggressive than any wash mitt and soap.

It is less aggressive than clay.

It is less agressive than Microfiber towel and Detailer.

Heck it can clean my computer screen and no scratches.

Sorry I don't get people's comment "never use on paint".

I would love to hear from those that have actually used it as apposed to those who speculated.
 
I think the argument is that with the cleaning methods you mentioned, there is lubrication involved. That lube lifts the dirt up off the paint, therefore when wiping, the dirt doesn't drag on the paint. With the duster, there is no lube, so the duster is actually "dragging" the dirt accross the paint. I use a duster sometimes. Haven't noticed any damage to my dd.
 
My reason against it is simple, the dirtier it gets the better it works!
 
Crispy said:
I have been reading a lot of information about this dust remover that personally doesn't ring true. My DD is polished and protected (sealant and wax on top). I use the California Duster almost every day (due to construction dust depoisted every day). I have experienced ZERO problems.

Why would the duster impart any damage?

It is less aggressive than any wash mitt and soap.

It is less aggressive than clay.

It is less agressive than Microfiber towel and Detailer.

Heck it can clean my computer screen and no scratches.

Sorry I don't get people's comment "never use on paint".

I would love to hear from those that have actually used it as apposed to those who speculated.
Click to expand...

I've had countless numbers of cars come in with damage from the California Duster (or similar) over the years. All of the owners thought they were harmless too until I showed them the damage it was doing (they couldn't see it/didn't know what swirls were...). Same goes for the water blade. That being said, if you like it a feel it's not doing any damage then there is no reason to stop using it.

I tried it a long time ago and it's not for me. Think about it...you're dragging dirt across your paint with nothing to lucubrate/protect the surface. I say why risk doing that when it's so easy to just ONR a dusty car.
 
I always say, whatever makes you happy for you and your car then rock on! We all have our own thing! I use a duster on my windows sometimes!
 
The Cali duster is good the day of a wash, maybe the next.. just to wipe the dust that settles on a very clean car. After that forget it, it's too dangerous especially after a drive imo.

Last time I bought/used one was around 2009ish and after a couple of uses (on a clean car) it became streaky
 
I have a GG MF duster that I use but I've been swayed by the nah sayers here for sure, so its only used after the car is clean and its a little dusty, like at a cars and coffee or down in the garage after a night of sitting.

Thoughts?
 
Klasse Act said:
I have a GG MF duster that I use but I've been swayed by the nah sayers here for sure, so its only used after the car is clean and its a little dusty, like at a cars and coffee or down in the garage after a night of sitting.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
I'm with Rasky on this one:
"I tried it a long time ago and it's not for me. Think about it...you're dragging dirt across your paint with nothing to lucubrate/protect the surface. I say why risk doing that when it's so easy to just ONR a dusty car."

I have two of them when I owned a silver car, but haven't used it on my black Altima.
 
I just ordered one of these tonight. Lol

Reason being is my buddy has had one for quite a while now, and let me use it on my truck. But like guys said above, my truck was just washed, and just had light pollen on it. He told me (and I already kinda knew), that using it for a heavily soiled car or truck is a no-no.

Still, I liked the way it took off the pollen without having to QD the truck. 5 minutes vs. almost an hour. I'm sold.
 
I have two of them. One longer handled for the exterior - which I rarely use for no particularly good reason - and a short handled one that I use all time for the interior, and I like it a lot.
 
Used one for years on the company vehicles, never really saw any micro marring that so many worried about. However was still afraid to use it on my personal vehicles, just did not want to take the chance.

That said with all the new versions of rinseless washes and how quick and EZ they are, have not used the duster in awhile but still have it in the cabinet.
 
IMO they are fine to use just as long as you do the proper technique. I no longer use the dustbuster but when I did I just gently brushed over the panels. Very easy to use and I agree with the OP
 
I've spoken to plenty of folks with garage queens with flawless paint who've been using them for a very long time with no problems. Garage queens being the key point. Remember, it's called the California Duster, not the California Quik Detailer, or the California Waterless Wash.. Unless you've got a car that basically almost never gets driven [which I personally don't] then your opinions are just that, opinions. I'll trust the word of people who successfully use them.
 
Quoting Killerwheels from another forum

"Trouble is the paraffin wax captures dirt, sand, and other items and then you rub it against paint. Its not worth the risk ...."
 
And this is something I posted on a different forum as well

Well, it's pollen season here: And I've seen a lot of suggestion just to use a duster.

IMG_28741_zpsom7plns1.jpg



This is after 1 night/day after being cleaned.

20160306_165234_zpsaf1jjxal.jpg




This is 1 hour after being washed for a car show:

20160226_164110_zpsycchdjua.jpg



20160226_164737_zpsijw6qbrp.jpg



20160226_132203_zps7s0mrd16.jpg



So what do you think? A quick sweep with a duster ?!?!?! (oh so gentle sweep?)


Before you think you can do it scratch free............ This is what pollen looks like

pollen_zps7djfujyy.jpg



pollen_2lrg_zpsawxwt72c.jpg



pollen_zpsdcbvzl5w.png



It is just my opinion, that no matter how light a touch you have, that this WILL induce scratching/marring.

My suggestion = Wash it, or rinseless wash it. IF it were less, I might even consider a waterless wash, but I like to be more careful.
 
My 1st question would be, what is your garage queen doing outside? Auction today? Carshow? Otherwise, why would you even consider it a candidate for a duster?

It's going out for a carshow? Then of course it'd be best to clean it another way. But if it's been sitting inside of your garage for the past 6 days, I can see how using a California Duster would be an option over wiping it down with a spray & towel.
 
I had used my Califonia Duster for years on my '65 GTO without ever noticing any added scratches or swirls. It only took a minute or two to clean the car before a ride or during a car show. It takes a little more time, but now I only use Speed Shine and an Eagle Edgeless microfiber. As soon as I got on this forum I stopped using my California Duster. You guys have made me way to paranoid about adding any kind of scratches or swirls to my garage queen. I've also become a lot more educated as to what to look for and how to notice even the slightest of differences in my paint.
By the way, those pictures of pollen are Scary!
 
I use one without issue. Like most have already pointed out the "perfect" situation is a garage queen with light dust. I prefer a ww or QD but if I'm short on time I hit it lightly with the duster and move on. Pollen......No way for me. That always gets a generous waterless wipe down. The California duster has its place. I have the large model duster and only use it on my CHallenger. Lol my wife asked me the other day where that "dust wipe thing" was for her car..."Um.... well it's like this honey, I'll just wash your car"
 
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