Does anybody have good info on the California Duster. Thats what they used to be called anyway.It looks like a mop with a small handle and the material looks like red yarn for those who may not be familiar. Anyway, someone told me that they really scratch up your car because dust and dirt can be very abrasive and you drag this thing back and forth over your car. The manufacturer says it will not , but you know how that goes.

I and mine have had no problems with scratching up finishes with the California Dusters. Of course we don't 'scrub' the dust off with 'em, we just very gently pass 'em over the surface to pick up any lose dust/pollen/whatever.

It's all in technique... :D

My dealer actually recommnended that I get one. But I have since stopped using it after quite a few people told me to not use it. I just make sure to wash and wax every 2 weeks/1 month and this seems to keep the dust from building up. I live in Tucson btw where there is definitely no dust shortage. I am sure though if you have a good layer of wax on your car using a CA duster (with good technique) you wont scratch your finsh. But I am not a pro detailer so...

Have it and LOVE it. Just be sure to only use it on a clean car to remove dust or pollen. If the car is dirty, wash it.

Thanks for the replies. I had just bought a new one when some guy told me that. I'll start using it again for light dusting.

A good coat of wax and only using the duster for DUSTING
is the key.

Have it and LOVE it. Just be sure to only use it on a clean car to remove dust or pollen. If the car is dirty, wash it.

Well technically if the car had dust or pollen on it, would it in fact be clean? :ponder:

ive been meaning to get one of these

Have it and LOVE it. Just be sure to only use it on a clean car to remove dust or pollen. If the car is dirty, wash it.

Well technically if the car had dust or pollen on it, would it in fact be clean? :ponder:Wise guy. :eyebrow: You know what I mean. In the earlier part of spring when the green pollen is so heavy, I can wash my car and 20 minutes later it has a coating of pollen on it. The car is clean (no grit or grime) - just dusty. That's the perfect situation for the California Car Duster.

so you just have to use it every 20 minutes for 2 weeks until you wash your car again? :P :P

no i got ya, i think i may snag one of these cuz i hate my black car looking yellow.

I've had mine for years. It's perfect for use on the outside of your car for a FEW days after you wash it while it still looks "clean". It's a duster so don't expect it to clean your car, but it will put a smile on your face. Shake it often, semi-vigorously, as you use it. I've got another one for the inside. I haven't experienced paint damage in any way.

I have a '67 black mustang (so when I am not driving to gas stations I am driving to car washes) and live in the desert. The duster helps out a lot with all the dust. I have never noticed any scratches and on black they will show up. My dad and brother use it on their mustangs as well ('67 rag top and 64.5 coupe) and again no scratches at all. We all have used the this brand of duster for 15+ years. They are great.

I have one, but it smells so funky, other than that I love it, I got the small one for duting the interior... anyone else have the funk? > its almost like bad breath

nah doesnt smell funny; felt oily almost the first couple uses; but feel/smells normal;

best deal on it at Price Club / Costco <under 20 for the full size and interior one together ; over 20 for the large one alone at the dealer

I bought a full size one and a smaller one at walmart for $17 total. I love these things. I used the small one on the interior and once I saw how well it worked started using it around the house. My girlfriend was amazed because I actually went around the house looking for places to dust. I also used it in the enginer bay. I had alot of pollen build up in their and it cleaned it right up. I am going to get a few more small ones because now that i used it in the engine bay I don't want to use it on the interior. On the exterior I barely let the weight of the duster touch the surface. No scratches yet.

walmart has the large one for $9.99 .. Ok here is my questions.. can someone tell me what is the "technique" to not scratching your paint surface?

Can I use this even if I leave California?

...I need to find a corn smiley.

(Is the Wal-Mart one actually a "California Duster" or is it a similar knock-off?)

I'd assume it's a knock off. I have a knock off I bought from Costco, one large and one small for ten bucks.

The oily residue on the exterior duster is actually wax to help grab the dust and protect the paint. That's probably why it smells like it does to. I've used it on anything from a black Porsche to my 89' Accord and it has always done great.

CAn you use the smaller one that is meant for the dash on the outside of the car too? I mean it's the same thing only smaller right?

A few things - yes, you can use the small one outside (it's the same) but the big one is "puffy" enough I don't see the need.

The $10 two pack at Costco isn't a knockoff - it's just a good deal. They work great on a clean (and more importantly, waxed) car. The technique is be LIGHT. Take big swipes across the car, but you should just be letting the little strings touch the paint, not dragging the weight of the duster across it. If it's loose dust or pollen or anything, it will get picked up. You can shake it out if you think it's getting dirty, but it's supposed to work even better when it's been used a while.

Also, DON'T wash the duster ever. It says not to in the instructions. It's coated in paraffin wax and if you wash it, you lose the coating and it stops working. If you have problems with it after a few years, I think it's time to buy a new one. I love mine though - no scratches at all.

I use quick detail spray + 2 microfiber cloths (one to wipe, one to quick buff) to get dust off my car. Takes about 9 minutes to do the whole car and it looks great.