Dust & Duster

Wife got me one for Xmas. I see waxy smudges on my red Porsche. I've seen people suggest to wrap it in newspaper for a while to sop up excess wax & to use when car is cooler...T

 

They work really well at marring your paint. Use a waterless wash or just keep up on it with quick detailer. You will definitely see marks on a black car. Learned from experience. I used to use those when I was younger and didn't quite care about the paint on my car like I do now. Get some good microfiber and you'll be fine.

 

Thin spray of detailing spray of your choice and a high-quality microfiber cloth. Keep a light touch and you won't scratch anything. I use a larger microfiber and fold it in fourths, rotating sides as I go along. When you see dust accumulating on the cloth, turn it over. Then fold it to a clean side the next time, etc, etc.

 

The Calif. Duster is only good for cleaning the wheels. On paint as previously mentioned it will pick up debris and cause scratches.

 

A lot of good advice above regarding alternatives to the duster. I was very skeptical about the waterless washes that have been promoted in the past few years but I broke down and got some from a supplier that had some wax in it. I still would not use it for a dirty car but find it works well as a detail spray on dust with a soft MF towel. I also use one of the small "dash" dusters to clean my wheels, works real good at cleaning the inside barrell area. I understand your desert problem, I lived in Phoenix until recently and commented earlier today to my wife how much cleaner the cars are now.

 

Back and forth and fold the cloth often - spray an area and do one wipe with one side of the cloth, then flip to a clean section and wipe completely dry - then repeat on the next section. I actually no longer wash my car with water unless it's really dirty as I find using the spray wash/detailer and MF cloth produces less swirles and keeps more wax on the car. It's also usually faster.

 

Circular hand motions on the surface of a car are a recipe for trouble. As mentioned, straight lines are preferred. On the flat horizontal surfaces, wipe from the front to back of the car, and vice versa. On the sides of the car (verticals) use straight motions up and down - not back to front.

Have fun.

 

California duster is fine on areas covered w clearbra. Otherwise a good quick Detailer and microfiber on panels with factory paint finish. A quality sealent goes a long way too, with a coat of pinnacle sovereign wax optional, alternately a ceramic coating will keep the finish deep and durable, allowing for quick Detailer for periodic quick wipe downs.

 

Nice for dusting the inside.

Outside not so much.

Best

 

Unless you like creating micro-marring that adds up over time, do not use a duster, and do not use quick detailer as a way to "clean" the car between washes!

I'd rather have a dusty car with incredible paint, than a dust-free car with swirls.

 

Will a Master Blaster blower (normally used for drying the car) work for removing dust? I have the handheld mini version of the Master Blaster and it can remove a bit of dust, but it's not strong enough to really remove it all or to remove it quickly. It seems like forced air would be the only way to remove it (presumably) without abrasion.

 

What do you use between washes to keep the car looking nice if not quick Detailer or spray wax and a safe microfiber?

 

I have a Master Blaster (normal plug in version with 16hp) and I have used it to blow the dust off my car since I am forced to park it in a pretty dusty parking lot at work. It takes about 2 min to do the car and I do it every time I come home. It works fairly well but not as good as a microfiber and quick detailer or spray wax which I save for the weekend. I simply can't stand having a dusty car but can't afford the 15-20 min it takes every day. Also, swirls and micro scratches are inevitable and I think they would be hastened by using the microfiber and quick detailer too often on "an almost clean" car.

 

Will a good quality paint sealant and just a quick rinse with reverse osmosis water (The Mr. Clean spray nozzle) then just use a leaf blower not work? Kind of a lazy man's car wash.

After using detailing sprays on the 360 and having just buffed the clear coat, I agree with Todd (post 15) that you will end up with micro scratches in the clear coat. I think the spray detailer just helps hide the scratches while at the same time creates them.

On my previous car (black 348) I would bet a paycheck that you could just look at the clear coat and end up scratching it.

 

A lot of information here. As usual, I tend to agree with Todd, because he's the one who taught me how to take care of my own car.

During the driving season, I wash my car about every 2 weeks on average. In the spring, she gets dusty from pollen and such. I have been known to use my full-size Master Blaster to spray off the dust in between washes. So, yes, it does work. My car's surface is always "prepped" correctly with a nice coating from Todd C. (currently it has 22 PLE on it but I'm planning to have him apply GYEON this spring). I think surface prep is key.

As for rinsing the car in between washes (with any sort of filtration) and then just drying it with air, I have to confess I'm not a fan. I dunno, I guess I'm just a "do it right or don't do it at all" sort of guy. The problem I see with this filtered water only rinse is what are you gonna do for some tough spots? Inevitably, there will be contaminants on your paint surface - it's a given. Are you going to leave it? Are you going to soap just that area? If you dry it, will that make the surface worse?
I guess it's just too many unknowns to me. I subscribe to Todd's school of thought. Wash the car confidently and carefully, and let the water / soap combination *float* away any of the contaminants. Again, surface prep is key here.

I shudder at the idea of spraying a dusty car down with detail spray and then wiping it with an MF cloth. To me, the point of a detail spray is a final step after the car wash, to add gloss and take care of any water spots. But, that's just me.

So, in summary, if it's just dust we're talking about in between washes, then I'd choose air over water. It has worked OK for me - obviously not as good as a wash, but it gets the job done. I've even had situations where I have washed the car, let it sit for a few days in my garage, and there'll be a thin layer of dust. Master Blaster clears this because my paint is prepped such that nothing really gets a chance to "stick."

 

It seems like the safest approach is to use the no-rinse wash products.

Short of that, using a Master Blaster to remove dust before using detail spray would also seem to be pretty safe.

If you have a raw concrete floor that is in less than perfect condition, one of the things that might help prevent dust is to cover the floor (with Racedeck, epoxy paint, tile, etc). I noticed a lot less dust accumulating on the car in the garage after covering the concrete with Racedeck.

 

I think it comes down to "how do you float off dirt, dust or grime without rubbing the dirt into the paint"?

 

You don't, it's whichever method rubs it in least that's best. In my experience, spray detailer/wash with MF cloth rubs it in less (ie less swirls) than wet wash with sponge and takes less time when you factor in drying etc. That's just my experience.