Who just has a "light dusting" of dirt when driving their car just once?

[dochou]

I was considering using UQD, but I am afraid to use it and don't want to cause swirl marks.
Just driving in the summer around town for a few hours seems to accumulate enough dirt on the lower quarter panels and the rear end, that I am afraid to use uqd. I live in a major metropolitain city.
Is it safe to use uqd in my case?

[talex26]

Re: Who just has a "light dusting" of dirt when driving their car just once?

If you have just dust that you can wipe off with a lite swipe of your fingertip then any popular Instant Detailer is safe to use. It is important to do the test swipe in a safe place on the car so you won't scratch the paint just in case it is more than lite dust - i.e. dust that is stuck to the car because of moisture etc.

If you have dust or dirt that is actually stuck to the car and cannot be swiped off with your finger then you need to wash your car not Instant detail it.

I live in the Los Angeles area, drive 60 miles a day on freeways, and my car is parked outside the entire day. When I get home it has dust but it comes off safely with an instant detailer. It's important to use a microfiber towel and to not rub into the paint. I spray the surface and then lightly run the microfiber across the paint in one direction (not in circles) and have had no problems. If you have a dark colored car you want to be extra careful and use a lot of Instant Detailer.

It doesn't hurt to dampen the microfiber with the ID either.

[TKDDAD]

Re: Who just has a "light dusting" of dirt when driving their car just once?

pick yourself up a California Duster...I use it every day. I have a black car and dust appears 10 minutes after I wash it...I'd be going through gallons of UQD if I didn't use the CD....

[dochou]

Re: Who just has a "light dusting" of dirt when driving their car just once?

I thought I read somewhere that california dusters are bad, b/c they may cause swirl marks. ?

[roushstage2]

Re: Who just has a "light dusting" of dirt when driving their car just once?

+1 on the duster. If I am lucky enough to only have a light layer of dust, I will use the duster and then if need be, QD the car. Just set the duster on the paint, i.e.- use the weight of the duster, and slowly and gently dust the paint. I have been using dusters for years and haven't noticed any negative side effects when properly used.

If you push the duster into the paint like some people, maybe most?, then you will have a bad experience with it. It states not to do that in the directions.

[Malo83]

Re: Who just has a "light dusting" of dirt when driving their car just once?

+1 on the duster. If I am lucky enough to only have a light layer of dust, I will use the duster and then if need be, QD the car. Just set the duster on the paint, i.e.- use the weight of the duster, and slowly and gently dust the paint. I have been using dusters for years and haven't noticed any negative side effects when properly used.

If you push the duster into the paint like some people, maybe most?, then you will have a bad experience with it. It states not to do that in the directions.

X2

[bookeem]

Re: Who just has a "light dusting" of dirt when driving their car just once?

i may have to try a cali duster, cause my car is a dust magnet being all black...

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Who just has a "light dusting" of dirt when driving their car just once?

Just a big picture perspective...

At some point you need to "touch the car"

That can be by "Washing the car", or "Dusting with a California Car Duster", or "Wiping the paint using a microfiber polishing cloth and a mist and wipe product".

Pick your poisen... but someway, somehow you have to touch the car and if you're worried about using ANY company's mist and wipe product, then simply turn the hose on and wash the car using free flowing water.

Meguiar's makes GREAT mist and wipe products whether it's UQD or QD or SD, or M34 or LT

That said, mist and wipe products are for removing,

Light dust
Fingerprints
Smudges

Anything more than light dust and you should wash your car if possible.

[RDVT4ME]

Re: Who just has a "light dusting" of dirt when driving their car just once?

I thought I read somewhere that california dusters are bad, b/c they may cause swirl marks. ?

Bad technique causes the problem, not the duster. The duster should be lightly glided over the paint to remove the dust. Some people will push down on the duster to remove dust and that will cause a big problem.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Who just has a "light dusting" of dirt when driving their car just once?

+4 for the duster. I use mine a lot. When your in a hurry. It does a good job and with the proper technique it, it is safe to use.

[Sal329]

Re: Who just has a "light dusting" of dirt when driving their car just once?

I have used the CA car duster before I was even into detailing. It works great. I still use it. I hear all this about it scratching and marring the paint. Well I never seen this happen on the 00 Mustang I used it on religiously, my current 99 Accord and 94 mark VIII. I still like to go over it with a good QD like M135.

[bookeem]

Re: Who just has a "light dusting" of dirt when driving their car just once?

UQD would definately follow up the duster..just less mf towels ide have to use..

[miahjohn]

Re: Who just has a "light dusting" of dirt when driving their car just once?

i washed my caddi today, 2 hours later is was covered in dust. after washing it i uqd'd it total time was approx 2 hours, while entertaining a three year old. I thought screw it.....i'll be washing it again in a few days!!!!!!!!!!!

[03mach1]

Re: Who just has a "light dusting" of dirt when driving their car just once?

+1 for the duster. They are great and handy if you don't want to QD the car. Just don't put a lot of pressure on the duster, lightly glide it over the surface. QD is the best if you have a light dusting.

[roushstage2]

Re: Who just has a "light dusting" of dirt when driving their car just once?

Just to add for the duster, I have been testing one on the Neon paint on that test spot that I cleaned up as best as it would. I have dusted it several times, sometimes with a bit heavier layer of dust and so far, it is still 100% swirl free. Technique and patience is the key.