[mrvuml]

Is it safe to use a California Car Duster on modern soft paints like on our new BMWs? Mine is an 08 E90 in Montego Blue. I want to get rid of light dust accumulation between washes. Do they really not scratch?

[L~R~G nor cal]

Has been talked about a lot and you should find all the information that is needed to make a educated decision.

[defconracing]

I use Adams detailer. I can only say good things about it. A lot of the ferrari guys like it, and Ferrari Of San Diego uses it in the showroom. I think Symbollic motors does 2.

[eekthecat]

It's really a question of balancing between convenience and the occasional streak. Even after letting some of the extra wax wick off on newspaper before using it, I've found that it will leave the occasional streak (wipes away quickly with some quick detailer - you do carry some in the car, right? ) -- but it's hard to beat the convenience of being able to restore my car to what most people think is a just-washed look. Remember, though, to only use it to remove dust. If the car is truly "dirty", just wash it.

[Icedog_16]

Originally Posted by eekthecat

It's really a question of balancing between convenience and the occasional streak. Even after letting some of the extra wax wick off on newspaper before using it, I've found that it will leave the occasional streak (wipes away quickly with some quick detailer - you do carry some in the car, right? ) -- but it's hard to beat the convenience of being able to restore my car to what most people think is a just-washed look. Remember, though, to only use it to remove dust. If the car is truly "dirty", just wash it.

Pretty much my experience, too. If it hasn't rained, I usually only need to use the duster. Sometimes, I'll follow it up with some quick detailer. BTW, the more you use it/ the longer you've had it, the less problem you'll have with that streaking.

[sparkyg]

Nay, too much risk vs reward. I guess if you have a light car then diff. rules but on a dark car I wouldn't.

[TRICKE90]

If your Ca. duster is new it will leave streaks. I always use a qd after wiping down with my duster. Yes, after a while they won't streak as much but they get embedded with dirt and can scratch your paint, so you have to be careful
but if you use it right it's quick & dirty (no pun intended).

[L~R~G nor cal]

Put the duster in a paper bag for a day or two, and it will dry out.

[ScheerSpeed]

i say nay

[BK]

I don't use it on my paint, but the interior California "dash" duster works very well. A good dust magnet if your dash is already clean and you just want to remove dust.

[Ryan323i]

i used it on my jet black E46 and it worked great! just don't push hard on it and it won't create scratches. the weight of the duster is enough to remove the dust. i used it every day, as long as my car had not been rained on of course!

[mrvuml]

Which specific model (size) do you guys use: Standard, Premium or Super Duster? They seem to range in size from 15" to 24".

[BzsBimmer]

ressurected from the dead by me!
After spending 2 days polishing my car and using the duster in between for the past 2 weeks I can say without a doubt that the CCD WILL LEAVE SCRATCHES in the clear. They may be VERY fine but you will definately see it in the sun!

[AJerman]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

ressurected from the dead by me!
After spending 2 days polishing my car and using the duster in between for the past 2 weeks I can say without a doubt that the CCD WILL LEAVE SCRATCHES in the clear. They may be VERY fine but you will definately see it in the sun!

+1, if you're the kind of person who actually takes the time to polish your own car, you probably care enough about the paint to not want to use a duster on it.

Wiping dust across the surface WILL scratch it. Maybe not much, and for someone who just wants their car clean and isn't OCD like some of us, then it's probably fine, but if you really want your car's paint to be perfect, then stay away from a duster.

I'd personally rather have a little dust on the car than contribute to scratches. If my car gets too dusty I'd rather just go through a laser wash or run a hose over it then QD it. Doesn't take much more time to pull out a hose, hose off the dust, then QD to keep off the spots and shine up the paint a little, and it'll look better than if you dusted it.