Dusting A Car

[dennis50401]

I am going to wash my car and then let it set overnight (in the garage) to dry. The next day I want to detail it. How can I clean off the small amount of dust that accumulates on the surface? I don't want to just start detailing it with the dust on the surface. I am going to buy a California Duster, but I have read it has a small amount of wax on it and don't want that on the surface either. So any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks. Dennis

[Show 'N' Shine Car Detailing]

Re: Dusting A Car

I always use a California duster, but of course mine is already broke in and the initial coating is no longer there. A quick detailer like ultimate or gold class with a MF towel to remove the light dusting is also what I do when not using the duster. I usually go duster first then QD after.

Depending on your def of "detailing" it, are you polishing and waxing it? Are you going to clay it first? Whether you do either of those polish and wax or just wax, depending on the surface contaminants on your car, you may want to clay first, so the wax from the CD won't matter, since the clay would remove all that for a fresh smooth defect free surface to start from.

Just my .02

Off to customer #2 interior detail today myself. Enjoy!

[dennis50401]

Re: Dusting A Car

Thanks for the quick response. My car has light swirls and some small scratches, so I plan on using Megs. Ultimate Compound, Ultimate Polish, and Gold Class Carnauba Plus, as suggested when I emailed Meguiars and told them about my vehicle, at least that is what they suggested and that is what I will do. I trust Meguair's. I will be using a DA for the compounding and polishing, but will hand apply the wax. I suppose that even if a duster would leave some slight wax marks or even some swirls the compounding and polishing will take them out anyway. I just thought I would want to get rid of, at least, some of the dust. What are your thoughts?

[Meticulous-Detail]

I sell you my California Car Duster if you want, only used a couple of times.

[mis3]

Re: Dusting A Car

I use my California Duster often, a few times per week depending on weather.
With this practice, I wash the car less so the wax would last longer.

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Dusting A Car

A quick detail spray and microfiber cloths will do the job nicely

[Detailing by M]

CA dusters rock! They have parafin wax on them. Parfin wax is fine on your paint. It won't be on your paint, it stays on the fibers. Once it gets "dirty" it works better.
A quick detailer and mft with work fine too

[goldenlight]

Re: Dusting A Car

I don't believe in dusting, I would just rinse it off the next day dry it and begin claying it. By the time I am done claying usually its completely dry.

[Meticulous-Detail]

I don't believe in dusting, I would just rinse it off the next day dry it and begin claying it. By the time I am done claying usually its completely dry.

+1

2yrs ago when I first bought
my Shelby I did a ton of car shows. I would wipe the car down with QD or dust with a California duster in the garage. Yes I followed the directions and used light pressure. Then after the drive to the show wipe it down again with QD and a MF towel. Began to notice light scratches only visible in sunlight or at night under a street light. Camera doesn't pick them up either.
These are NOT swirl marks, they are called love touches.

One day I was talking to a bud who has a Shelby and a Fox both in mint condition with flawless paint. I asked him what he does to maintain them and all he said was wash and wax. Proceeded to tell me he never touches the paint with any product unless it is clean. His method is rinse, wash with 2 bucket method, flooding method and leaf blower to dry and that is it. If he uses a towel he pats dry no wiping or dragging.

If the car is dusty he washes it using this method. No wiping down at shows and no dusting. All I have to say is I couldn't find swirls or love touches on his paint. Keep in mind these are weekend and show cars.

Needless to say no more dusting or wiping down for my Shelby. It sits full of dust in the garage waiting for a me to do a touch free wash and dry.

I am not the only one who noticed this either, so here is the thread on AG
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/64225-wipe-down-love-touches-show-weekend-car-detailing.html

[Top Gear]

Re: Dusting A Car

I've learned not to ever let it sit to dry (unless it's just clean rain). The water beads attract and capture contaminants, and that mini-soup dries to the surface, which you then have to wipe off, creating more "love touches" (thanks MD ). Somehow, rain itself isn't as attractive to contaminants, perhaps due to electrical charge variations between rain water and garden hose water? Hmmm.

Anyway, the love touches I do certainly create are mostly hidden by QD/QW temporarily. When I dust, it usually works just like dusting should work. I've not seen any extra scratching from dusting, and for 5 minutes of work, it sure makes a difference for a cruise or curb appeal, but it can create more wiping at the edges of panels where a line of dust won't jump off the surface with the duster threads. This was particularly annoying during the pollen season, so I relied more on heavy rinsing, hence not letting it sit to dry...and around and around we go

As for doing all of this before a correction, I wouldn't worry too much over it. The clay and detailer lube will pick up any and all contaminants without doing harm, and then you just proceed to compounding, polishing and waxing. If the dust accumulating inside your closed garage overnight is so heavy you can see the difference with a quick wipe, then that's not where you want to be detailing your car. The garage is probably so dirty it needs to fully cleaned.

[Escape Artist]

Re: Dusting A Car

Ive been using the duster for a couple of years the bit of residue that comes off when its new is no biggy but Ive stopped using it as much on the paint work recently as I'm parking next to a stone cutting factory and i do belief the dust to be a little more aggressive and I think dragging it around with the duster not a good idea .Ive gone back to rinsing with water then detail fluid & Micro towel.more work but a better way IMO.

[Detailing by M]

Re: Dusting A Car

I've used dusters since the '70's and love them. They don't scratch, unless you use them wrong.

[Blueline]

Re: Dusting A Car

I am going to buy a California Duster, but I have read it has a small amount of wax on it and don't want that on the surface either. So any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks. Dennis

I use the Duster on my black car occasionally, and it works perfect and is harmless. Remember to DUST, and not rub. IF you are worried that a little of the paraffin wax transfers from a new CD to your car, let the duster sit on a piece of news paper over night. The paper will absorb any excess. That said, I would not do that myself, as first, the wax is on the CD for a purpose, and secondly, if you are going detail after dusting, the paraffin wax is going to come off.