The California Duster

ma78 · #1 10-14-2006, 10:33 AM

Is it any good? My boss gave me one for my new car, and he swears by it. I've never used one before, and I'm a little worried that it may scratch my paint. Any thoughts?

m

**Donna/Mike** · #2 10-14-2006, 10:37 AM

They've been around for years - we use them on all of our cars...great product - won't scratch a thing...

Donna

ma78 · #3 10-14-2006, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donna/Mike

They've been around for years - we use them on all of our cars...great product - won't scratch a thing...

Donna

So...do you use it just to touch up the car every once and a while? Or is it for pre/post detailing? I'm just confused.

**Donna/Mike** · #4 10-14-2006, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ma78

So...do you use it just to touch up the car every once and a while? Or is it for pre/post detailing? I'm just confused.

We use it mainly for just getting the little "dust" particles off - especially if it's been sitting in the garage. It's not a cleaner - just a duster - hence the name California Duster. Give it a try - you'll see what I mean.

Donna

gokartride · #5 10-14-2006, 10:49 AM

Use it when the car is clean to gently sweep away dust that gathers. I use a light touch and I find it picks up more if you use a slower sweeping motion. Sometimes I'll do a light-pressure sweep first and then go over it again letting more of the duster's weight rest on the car. Do not apply extra pressure and do shake if out frequently. Every so often go somewhere and shake the hell out of it.

The nice thing about the duster is that is can save you a car wash now and again. Say your MINI is clean....then it get dusty.....then it rains. That dust will turn to mud, then you have to wash again. But.....if you had dusted (and assuming your MINI was parked), you may be able to use a microfiber drying towel and just dry your car. It'd be all clean again!!!!

When in doubt, though....wash, don't dust. If your car is real, real dusty, your risk of introducing micro-marring is greater. Often I use the duster three, four...maybe more....times a day. And the boot gets it even more often. Good luck!!

Prima Car Care · #6 10-14-2006, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gokartride

Use it when the car is clean to gently sweep away dust that gathers. I use a light touch and I find it picks up more if you use a slower sweeping motion. Sometimes I'll do a light-pressure sweep first and then go over it again letting more of the duster's weight rest on the car. Do not apply extra pressure and do shake if out frequently. Every so often go somewhere and shake the hell out of it.

The nice thing about the duster is that is can save you a car wash now and again. Say your MINI is clean....then it get dusty.....then it rains. That dust will turn to mud, then you have to wash again. But.....if you had dusted (and assuming your MINI was parked), you may be able to use a microfiber drying towel and just dry your car. It'd be all clean again!!!!

When in doubt, though....wash, don't dust. If your car is real, real dusty, your risk of introducing micro-marring is greater. Often I use the duster three, four...maybe more....times a day. And the boot gets it even more often. Good luck!!

I agree completely with gokartride on all points!

The Cal Duster in and of itself will not scratch, if used properly, as he described. If you use it when your car is dirty (as opposed to dusty), then the dirt can scratch the paint as you "dust".

Also, if you use it on a hot surface or in the direct sun, it can cause some smearing, due to the paraffin which is baked into the fibers. If that happens, just wait until the surface cools and go over it with a QD and plush microfiber cloth.

As long as you use it right, it works great and reeeeally helps you keep your car looking great!

-Heather

ma78 · #7 10-14-2006, 01:17 PM

Thanks everyone. I'm going to go and give it a try.

jwardell · #8 10-16-2006, 02:20 PM

I have the mini duster and pretty happy with it. It is useful for the day or two after you wash your car and it is not dirty except for some dust. Also great if it is clean and it's about to rain...dust it off before it starts and there's no dirt left for the rain to leave spots on your car.

But at the same time, if things are even slightly damp, they absorb dirt. I used mine once when I didn't realize there was a tiny film of dew on the car and the duster is permanently dirty. You can't wash it either because any grease-removing soap will also use the embedded wax that makes the duster work.

I now dust with a soft high-pile microfiber towel, specifically this one.

kenchan · #9 10-16-2006, 02:40 PM

i use it all the time on my cars.

but i don't use it on my commuters as it gets daily morning dew
these days. once it gets wet, you dont want to use it even if
the rain water dried. the dust (as gokartride mentioned) sticks to
the panel like mud and if you move that around, it will only scratch it.

dusters only work well on a clean surface with light dust.

i also use the interior duster. it's great for cleaning your notebook
LCD too!

markldriskill · #10 10-16-2006, 05:36 PM

I think the small one is REALLY GREAT for the top of the dashboard and other interior surfaces that only get touched occasionally -- if ever -- by human hands (or other body parts) but which still gather dust between washings.

DrkSilvrMini · #11 10-16-2006, 05:50 PM

if its just dust on the car and not like caked on dirty then yeah it works great! ive used one on my M3 and other cars and i love it.

gshochet · #12 11-01-2006, 02:47 PM

I use mine a lot, actually; fibromyalgia limits my energy and mobility and so I have to 'pick my battles', as it were. I dust the car every other day or so and then use a quick detailer spray with a microfiber cloth. I keep a lawn chair handy and move it around the car as I work. Next I'm going to see if the wheel wax I bought makes cleaning the wheels easier (although even without wheel wax it really isn't that bad, except for getting up and down off the ground). Perdita hasn't had a "proper" bath since I brought her home in August, but she still looks quite presentable. Maybe it's anathema to you expert detailers, but we all do what we can

.

I tried to buy the dash duster when I was out running errands last Friday, but the auto store I went to didn't stock them. It does look handy.

clarkdr81 · #13 11-01-2006, 02:57 PM

Yea, it's a great product. I used to have to wash my car everytime it got dust on it, especially when I lived out in Utah, I'm glad I found it because it saves me from having to do a wash just to get the dust off.

napptym · #14 11-01-2006, 03:05 PM

Like others have said, like it a lot.
Used them for years on many cars.

bee1000n · #15 11-01-2006, 05:38 PM

I've had mine for years, and I like it, but its usefulness is limited.

The dust has to be light, and everything has to be very dry, even humid evening air leads to streaks.

BradB · #16 11-01-2006, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markldriskill

I think the small one is REALLY GREAT for the top of the dashboard and other interior surfaces that only get touched occasionally

I have a small one dedicated to cleaning the brake dust off of my wheels every couple days. Works great, especially since the wheels are waxed.

allenski · #17 11-01-2006, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradB

I have a small one dedicated to cleaning the brake dust off of my wheels every couple days. Works great, especially since the wheels are waxed.

You know...waxing the wheels and then using a duster to keep up with cleaning off the brake dust is the way to go. I've got to do that.

TheSilverBullet · #18 11-01-2006, 09:45 PM

I love mine

chrisng · #19 11-01-2006, 10:32 PM

i have a duster that is almost 17 years old and it still works, but it has a bunch of dirt on it, i haven't gotten my MINI yet, so i'm debating weather or not to go and get a new california duster or not? does anyone know if you can wash the old ones to get rid of the 17 years worth of dust on that thing? it still works great.

ArmyDog · #20 11-01-2006, 11:50 PM

I have been using the Cali Duster on many of my cars for years. Love it and use mine at least weekly, between washes on my MINI.

namvet66 · #21 11-02-2006, 05:41 PM

I have used duster on my last four vehicles.

As long as it is dust and not caked on dirt and grime, it work great.

Use mine every evening on my new Mini Goliath I picked up Monday 10/30.

chows4us · #22 11-02-2006, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradB

I have a small one dedicated to cleaning the brake dust off of my wheels every couple days. Works great, especially since the wheels are waxed.

What one is that called? Like the "LA Duster" or the "Hollywood Duster"

MLPearson79 · #23 11-02-2006, 05:52 PM

I particularly like the small one. I don't know if it's intended for interiors but that's what I use mine for - when the dash has a little dust but is not "dirty". A few passes and it's done!

kenchan · #24 11-14-2006, 06:33 AM

so ive been breaking-in a new one recently.

i got it at target for
$9.99. not sure why some stores charge $19.99 for the same damn thing...

it's been sitting on the paper (shaken and turned occasionally) for the last
3 days. will continue for another 4 more days.

this one will be used
solely for winter use (dusty road salt).

thulchatt · #25 11-14-2006, 07:16 AM

I love my duster, I use it almost every day (when not raining).
I have seen these things used for a long time without ever hearing any downside.