I usually will dust the car off with the California Car Duster then wipe the whole car down with a new MF cloth and McGuire's NXT Gen. Speed Detailer when I know I won't be going anywhere for the rest of the night. Is it bad to do this everyday because the car isn't fully washed and contaminants can start damaging as soon as i start wiping?

 

The detailer should help cut the frictiion. Not sure about using the duster though.......

 

You answered your own question.

My neighbors Mustang bares scars as proof that it is not wise to use a QD everyday.

If using the proper method with the car duster, I feel it is much safer than a QD and micro cloth simply because of pressure....you use less with the duster.

 

With the duster there's no pressure applied at all because I only use the very end/tips of it. i hope you understand what im trying to say.

 

Over time you will start to notice swirls. I know plenty of people who go overboard with the quick detailers and starting marring their finishes. Do a quick search over on the Meguiar's forums for this subject and you will find people who have swirled their cars badly over doing it.

There is no substitute for water, lots of suds, and proper technique.

 

HA! I know excatly what youre saying…..I though I was the only one. You seem to be miles ahead of most people.

I too use ONLY the tips..I never lay the entire duster on the paint and wipe. NEVER. Also I "roll" the handle between by hands to shake loose any dirt after EVERY pass across the surface. **** and unnecessary? Maybe, but I constantly get replies from other Scion owners about how great my paint looks, so I figure it pays to be a bit too cautious rather than not enough.

I would recommend after washing the duster (I know what the instructions say regarding washing BTW) to spray it down lightly with Pledge (or something like it) while twirling it back and forth to reapply the wax that was taken off after washing. Besides adding some protection because it keeps the fibers of the duster away from the paint, it attracts dust like you wouldn’t believe….I have seen the dust jump from the car to the duster without even touching it!! Just make sure to "break it in" with the newspaper trick before using it. Two days was plenty in my experience.

And as mentioned, LOTS of water and a high lubricity soap is ALWAYS the best way to keep it clean. There is NO substitute. As a matter of fact, if I miss my daily routine of dusting ( I dust 3X times a day..most important time is right before the sun goes down and the moisture starts to collect on the roof.), I WILL NOT dust the car until I wash it again, just to be extra safe.

I tend to only use a QD between wax/sealant coats, with a clay bar, or if I get hit with a bird turd. I would rather wash it again than hit it with the QD. Not to imply that the QD's are bad products, but again, I have seen with my own eyes what daily use can do to the clear coat. My neighbors Mustang (black BTW) is usually dustless, and in the shade/night it looks fantastic, but as soon as the sun hits it directly…..I just cringe. It looks like the clear coat is matte.

 

I dust my scion every day for the last 2 years and quick detail the front to get the bugs off. Any fine swirls are removed by a good polish and wax....