california duster question

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guess23959

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having trouble with my duster. they say the longer you have it and the dirtier it is, the better it works but do not wash it. i did my annual "big detail" last week, and i used it for the first few times this year since the detail and it's leaving a ton of crap behind from the strands and i shake the dust out prior to using it, while i'm using it, and before i put it back in the storage pouch. i've had this thing since '00 and never really had problems until this year only and my car is straight black. what gives?
 
well, my only thought is, I wouldn't use a duster on my car. I use one for my interior, but on paint, no. I give you kudos for dragging it all over a black car...
 
fabiolas4 said:
i've had this thing since '00 and never really had problems until this year only and my car is straight black. what gives?
Click to expand...

It's maybe/probably worn out. I say buy a new one. They're cheap enough, and you got your money's worth out of the old one.
 
Hey fab,

I had the same duster and also had for many years and only used on my Black Single Stage mustang's Paint. (my Avatar pic) Used it every time I got my car out of the garage, but when I used it I just barley let the strands touch the surface and of course shook it very often. I did wash it couple times a year or so depending on how it looked to me.

I would wash by itself and use woollite in the washer with it and dry on cool down or set the dryer to about 20 minutes or some times just let hang and air dry. This was my technique for about 9 to 10 years, Original paint and almost scratch free. Being clean and the right technique is everything though, Just my 2 cents!
 
cleanmycorolla said:
well, my only thought is, I wouldn't use a duster on my car. I use one for my interior, but on paint, no. I give you kudos for dragging it all over a black car...
Click to expand...

I use a California Duster either daily or every other day on my black car. When used properly it will not scratch even very soft paint. It's all about technique.

Shoot, I rarely ever wash my car with a 2BM. Waterless and rinseless almost exclusively, again technique.

6 months since this car has been polished. These photos were taken last week.

https://flic.kr/p/o6d5m4

https://flic.kr/p/onGGjv
 
tiSS'er said:
I use a California Duster either daily or every other day on my black car. When used properly it will not scratch even very soft paint. It's all about technique.

Shoot, I rarely ever wash my car with a 2BM. Waterless and rinseless almost exclusively, again technique.

6 months since this car has been polished. These photos were taken last week.

EDITED OUT PHOTOS FOR SIZE
Click to expand...

Well I am happy for ya, but i'd love to see some phots under a brinkmann or some halogens to see what the marring is really like. No offense, but cars with holograms shine beautifully in the right light, throw it under proper lights and you see its true colors...

Again, was just giving my view, I wouldnt use it on black paint, but whatever works for you then rock! :dblthumb2:
 
tiSS'er said:
I use a California Duster either daily or every other day on my black car. When used properly it will not scratch even very soft paint. It's all about technique.

Shoot, I rarely ever wash my car with a 2BM. Waterless and rinseless almost exclusively, again technique.

6 months since this car has been polished. These photos were taken last week.



Click to expand...


Looks great at 5 feet in the shade

Shoot some close-UPS with a flash and a few with the reflection of the sun in the shot

Maybe you will be the one that gets us all over our fear of the California Duster
 
tiSS'er said:
Shoot, I rarely ever wash my car with a 2BM. Waterless and rinseless almost exclusively, again technique.
Click to expand...

Of course it appears you live in a dry area; SoCal or the desert SW. Other places you cannot get away with only waterless and rinseless. Sometimes, and some places, you need water, and a lot of it.
 
I had this problem once before but a good, vigorous shaking of the duster cleared things up. Not sure what to tell you if that doesn't work.
 
I have had no issues with my duster. I use it correctly (very lightly going over the surface). I have a 2013 Black Mustang GT (avatar).

My only suggestion fabiolas4 is to throw away the bag that came with the duster. The strands will hang down better (like bangs on the forehead) and maybe helps release the dust by shaking better. I also think the duster "breaths better". Sounds crazy and many of you think I may be on crack, but try that method and see. When I threw the bag away I no longer had any marring issues with it.

You may need to do a gentle wash (woolite or equivalent).
 
I agree with the consensus, (and have used CA dusters since their early years on work vehicles IE: trucks) but on my CARS... oh hellnaw.

The main ingredient in making CA dusters work is paraffin wax... PARRAFFIN WAX!!!!! They are the same whether you see them being used on your car or by the janitor at your kids elementary school. I'd not put mine in the washer either, (lest CarMomma bbq my arse). And she doesn't complain AT ALL when I wash microfiber towels all day. :D

These days there are plenty of less dangerous methods/devices available. Heck, you can even find disposable microfiber dusters at Lowes & Home Depot, like this one for only $4.98.
071798504193lg.jpg


Do an ever so light spritz with QD spray (or spray wax, or polymer spray), and just ever so lightly twist it while you dust.

There has NEVER been a California Duster that'll be less damaging to paint than one of these puppies.:dblthumb2:
 
I too wonder about the consequences of machine washing a CD that has paraffin wax.

What about the load after it? I wouldn't want to was microfibers after it or even clothes
 
I washed one in a bathtub 20 yrs ago and it make a mess of the tub, lots of scrubbing to remove the red ring it left. Since then I've never used one, not because of that but more about the "streaks" it left behind.

Just an FYI, Griot's has their mf car duster back in stock, its what I've been using for a while now w/o an issue!

Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
 
thx for the replies and input everybody. i've never had an issue until this year. i know people that have had theirs for YEARS. maybe it is all used up, i'm not sure. there's no scratches or marring, just removable marks. i guess you can say smudges. i have to follow through with the detail spray and a really plush final detail cloth. that'll fix it, but when i'm on the move, i just want to swipe the dust off and go. i've felt the swiffer duster and it seems plush but i'm not sure if i should try that. i used my california duster on the same car last year (my current car), with not one issue or mark left behind. i just love the quick quickness of doing it. i park my car at work and it gets dusty from the bushes fast (i dont think its pollen cause it's late july) just thought id ask.
 
Re: california duster question UPDATE 8/2/14

i just found out why my duster is doing this. it appears that i purchased an imitator duster. appearantly the real one is the wooden handle with parafin wax, and the imitator has the plastic handle with an unknown substance that does not last. so yea its time to buy a new one, but the real one with the wooden handle and parafin wax.
 
I have a California Duster with a plastic handle. The wooden handle Dusters are the older dusters.
 
you can still get the ones with the wooden handle. mine is on its way. $30 but at least it will do the job and its the real one, not a knockoff.
 
Re: california duster question UPDATE 8/2/14

fabiolas4 said:
i just found out why my duster is doing this. it appears that i purchased an imitator duster. appearantly the real one is the wooden handle with parafin wax, and the imitator has the plastic handle with an unknown substance that does not last. so yea its time to buy a new one, but the real one with the wooden handle and parafin wax.
Click to expand...

Nope, not so. I have had three, one from decades ago was a wood handle. Yet the 2 newer ones (both are over 10 years old) are plastic. Go figure........ :dunno:
 
I love this product. When I use it, I elevate the duster so only the bottom of the strands touch. No problems. Re the dirty duster, nothing lasts forever. After 14 years it may no longer be worth the AG and may be time for new one.
 
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