I'm a newbie and have been lurking for while. I'm coming out now with this question. Is it harmful to use a California Car duster? I have a black 328iC that is garaged, but still collects dust. I love my car to be spotless, so I've used the duster in the mornings. My friend is mortified that I'm scratching my finish. Am I doing damage to my baby?

I'm a newbie and have been lurking for while. I'm coming out now with this question. Is it harmful to use a California Car duster? I have a black 328iC that is garaged, but still collects dust. I love my car to be spotless, so I've used the duster in the mornings. My friend is mortified that I'm scratching my finish. Am I doing damage to my baby?

I got one recently to help with the pine pollen, and it seems to be fine. If you're worried about it, just make sure you stay waxed or glazed.

As long as you're just brushing the tips of the duster over the car you're fine. If you're actually using the duster like you would a floor mop, you'll have problems.

OT - pollen is really pissing me off right now! trying to do a full detail and every time I take a break, I have a new layer of Dakar (yellow) all over my car. It looked like freekin snow coming down the other day!

No.

I would brush anything over a black car.

As long as you only use the duster on a cool, dry surface, you should be OK.

Me too. I just washed my car yesterday and this afternoon my car is covered in dust/pollen.
Funny, I was thinking about the duster just before I came to this forum. lol

So it won't scratch my paint at all? Safe 100%?

Don't let it get damp or moist. Otherwise, it works pretty well.

I've never had problems with a duster causing any problems, and I've used one for years. I just always make sure to keep it stored in the bag and give it a good shaking before going over the car.

Make sure you dust in striaght lines front to back. It will help reduce swirl marks if any damage does occur.

FYI: I have used mine on my black M3 for a couple of months...couple of times when it was pretty dirty...no scrathes that I could see. I think It's a must for a blk car.

Thanks for all your replys. I feel much better about not hurting the delicate finish of a "Black" car.

Shouldn't hurt it. I've used them on black, charcoal, red, white, and dark blue cars without issues. I replace mine once a year or so because they do tend to pick up and hold on to grit.

Agree that it should only be used on a cool, dry surface, out of the sun.

As long as you're just brushing the tips of the duster over the car you're fine. If you're actually using the duster like you would a floor mop, you'll have problems.

What hal said. ^

They work great- I'm on my second one now. First one I had since 92 - used it on a black Vette then on all my new trucks since then... Just got a new one and been using it on my Z3...use em lightly and they are perfect!!

Shouldn't hurt it. I've used them on black, charcoal, red, white, and dark blue cars without issues. I replace mine once a year or so because they do tend to pick up and hold on to grit.

Agree that it should only be used on a cool, dry surface, out of the sun.


Wow, once a year? People claim on having theirs for 10+ years.

You gotta make sure that the dust you are trying to remove on your car isn't caked on or are large particles. I have a JET BLACK E36 (the most unforgiving color of all) and I use the California Duster. I've had no problems because I understand that I can use it safely only up to about a week after a nice cleaning/waxing. That way, I am sure that the dust isn't firmly attached to the paint and will easily come off.

NEVER use it if the dust has been sitting/accumulating on your paint for a little while or after your car has been through rain/water. You will end up making fine scratches.

I also purchase a new one about every year or year and a half depending on how often I have used it. It tends to get pretty dirty after a while.

Wow, once a year? People claim on having theirs for 10+ years.
I got about two years' use out of my first duster. I washed it in a Woolite solution, and it just wasn't the same afterward. Washing seems to strip too much of the paraffin treatment from the fibers.

As with any other product, the duster's lifespan depends on how often you use it and how much dust you remove with each use.

Is kerosene or lighter fluid ok for use with a duster?
A friend who owns a body shop gave me one from a sample kit he received from a vendor.
He said to apply one or the other to it.

California car duster works great if the car is not warm or wet on the outside. It's just for removing light surface dust/dirt inbetween washes.

I'd flat out say no...there more then pollen in that dust and dragging it over your paint = no fun.