Are car dusters good if used properly?

[Shawn T.]

I am looking into an ADS order right now as my parents want to get me something for my graduation. Yes, I know and you are all thinking "And the best you can think of is car stuff?!" I think I have officially become addicted and "car crazy." I am getting the Professional Sampler Kit along with some quality applicators and this car duster.

Anyway, what do you guys think of these 2 car dusters:
http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/mfj2-1.html vs. http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/85-618.html Which is better you think?

I know that the California Car Duster is famous and I have seen it used without marring a finish but I want to make sure that these are also good.

Furthermore, could anyone tell me the proper technique to use one of these dusters?

[Calais]

Re: Are car dusters good if used properly?

I use a California Duster with a wooden handle. Make sure you get the wood handle because you won't have to apply any added pressure, the weight of the handle is all you need. Lightly brush the surface in long sweeping motions, do not apply any pressure and allow the fibers to do the work. The thing is a must for any showcar owner, especially if your car is under a cover or in a garage and you find youself QDing the dust off frequently.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Are car dusters good if used properly?

I like the dusters. I would get either one. The best way I have found to use it is like this. Do not apply any extra pressure. Let the duster sit on the paint. Just let it glide along the surface. When done shake it out. The dirtier they become the better they work.

[TOGWT]

Re: Are car dusters good if used properly?

Unlike most other car dusters which are paraffin wax covered cotton fibres, the GP Wool Duster is an all-wool Australian pelt. Rather than relying on surface tension to hold on to dust, our wool duster simply uses static charges, created by twirling the duster in your hands, to safely lift dust from the surface. Almost no surface pressure is necessary to make it 100% effective. GP Australian Wool Duster

[Blueline]

Re: Are car dusters good if used properly?

Just to add to TOGWT's usual excellent information, if you do get a California Duster or any that uses paraffin wax as a coating, let it sit in the open for at least a day, or you will probably get some streaking. Sit it out on a newspaper for a few days to be sure.

[RGP]

Re: Are car dusters good if used properly?

I'd stick with what is known to work. Pay the few bucks extra shipping and order the California duster with the wooden handle from another source. It has a proven track record and lasts forever. Mine's over ten years old and used semi weekly and it's just as effective as when new.

The plastic handled California is junk and I use a donated one for my wheels only. That's the one they used to hawk on TV, and it's a pretty disastrous substitute for the better wooden handled version. The heft of the wooden handle, combined with it's more dense and longer strands does a super great job.

It'll probably streak your finish with excess paraffin 'til it's broken in. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for removing excess paraffin and by no means ever, ever, wash it. Mine's dark brown and still works terrifically. See what's used at the premier auctions, and you'll find most use the California duster. If it's good enough for that caliber of automobile, I think it'll meet your needs and then some...

[Calais]

Re: Are car dusters good if used properly?

Also: I've noticed that mine seems to actually work better the dirtier it has gotten. It is dark grey-blackish color where it makes contact with the vehicle and it seems more effective than when I first used it.