What's the best way to remove dust from clean exterior?

[HAL1]

I just moved to Phoenix and the dust is a real bugger. I keep my car freshly cleaned but each day there's a new layer of dust. I've tried those static dusters, but they just push the dust around.

Will I have to QD it every day or is there another type of duster?

[Uncle Buck]

what kind of duster did you use? i used a california duster and it worked pretty well.you cant really use it if you have a lot of dust though. it has to be just a light layer. welcome to Phoenix, we have a lot of dust.also, it depends on your color. i have cgm right now and it hides dust no problem. my black car on the other hand is a different story. its the price you pay for living in AZ. ahwatukee huh? maybe ill see you around.

[HAL1]

Originally Posted by midniteblack

what kind of duster did you use?
ahwatukee huh? maybe ill see you around.

I'm just talking about the thin coat of dust the morning after. As far a the duster, it's the static kind you see advertised "as seen on TV" for household dusting. If I see you around I may be driving my Green Miata.

[Uncle Buck]

Originally Posted by HAL1

I'm just talking about the thin coat of dust the morning after. As far a the duster, it's the static kind you see advertised "as seen on TV" for household dusting. If I see you around I may be driving my Green Miata.

try the California duster. its pretty cheap and it has a wax in it that picks up light dust.

[WRXLTD]

Originally Posted by midniteblack

try the California duster. its pretty cheap and it has a wax in it that picks up light dust.

Not wax, silicone.

I have the California Duster and it works great. Couple of pointers though:

1) Make sure you take it out of it's holster when you first buy it and sit the brush portion on newspaper overnight to wick off the excess silicone.

2) Use only when the cars surface is cool and dry. If you don't, it leaves smear marks.

[REXtard04]

Originally Posted by WRXLTD

Not wax, silicone.

I have the California Duster and it works great. Couple of pointers though:

1) Make sure you take it out of it's holster when you first buy it and sit the brush portion on newspaper overnight to wick off the excess silicone.

2) Use only when the cars surface is cool and dry. If you don't, it leaves smear marks.

+2 for the California Duster....^^great advice too

[philbay]

As long as we're talking about the cali duster,, I heard mixed ideas on cleaning them.. Mine is old and dirty but seems to work fine, I Know if its not broke dont....., just like to shoot the ****.. anyone/ phil

[Kean]

Genuine California dusters are treated with wax. ......parrifin.

Hal,
I typically use the Cal Duster to get off the light layer and then follow up with a QD to wipe down the car. Another alternative you may consider is a car cover for those times when the car sits. Either way you'll still need to remove and dust/debris from the surface before installing the cover to prevent scratches. ......it's a never ending battle. Even with my car parked in the garage most of the week I'm not immune to dust problems.

[EdHilario]

I just use a microfibre cloth

[Chris85xlt]

i just wash my car again. dont like risking it with a duster. sometimes you dont know what kind of dust you might of pick up.

[Kean]

Originally Posted by Chris85xlt

i just wash my car again. dont like risking it with a duster. sometimes you dont know what kind of dust you might of pick up.

.......properly done, there is little risk of scratches or even micro-marring. There is typically no need to re-wash a clean car that simply has a light coating of dust on it.

Here's a good article describing safe techniques to use when QD'ing:

http://autopia.org/forum/guide-detai...detailing.html

[Phoenix Rising]

I personally use the micro-fiber towels...they work really well!

[moosecakes]

1. Buy 36 microfiber car towels for 10 bucks from costco.
2. Throw them in the dryer for 40 mins with a couple fabric softener sheets.
3. Take them out and enjoy watching the dust get removed from the paint.
4.
5. Profit.

[HAL1]

Originally Posted by moosecakes

1. Buy 36 microfiber car towels for 10 bucks from costco.
2. Throw them in the dryer for 40 mins with a couple fabric softener sheets.
3. Take them out and enjoy watching the dust get removed from the paint.
4.
5. Profit.

I LIKE THIS ONE! Has any else tried it? I've use plain microfiber towels, but it just pushes the dust around

[michael_wrx]

+1 for the California Duster. As for cleaning it, I rinsed mine and was a little disappointed that it didn't seem to glide as well over the paint as it did before-hand.
If you just kind of drape the CA Duster so its just barely touching the car it's very unlikely you'll scratch your paint. It'll also give you a good indication of if the dust that is on there should be removed by a different technique.
After a while you'll get used to what it's capable of and be able to visually assess whether the duster is up for the task.

[hella_sti]

NO don't use fabric softener when drying your microfiber, it make the microfiber loose the static electricity that make then work so well at picking up dirt and fabric softener also contains small amounts of metalic fibers that will work their way into the cloth which = scratch city. Use the cali duster and spray some quick detailer on it and it'll hold the dirt better and won't spread it as much.

[fastlanerex]

micro fiber rags

[djosrs]

CA Duster!!! Its amazing .... when I dust my car every morning ... it stays clean for an extra 2-3 weeks.

I have yet to ever see any sort of scratches from it ...


a rag is too small and might take too long .... I would think. I will even dust my car everytime I get gas or stop for food .... can never be tooo clean

[Newera09]

California Duster is the shizzzz! When drying you car though definately use microfiber towels. You can also use a slightly moist microfiber towel and wipe down any minor dust that the california duster cannot wipe off

[spoolindc2]

micro fibers from costco are the ticket to a dust-free car!!!


As for the CA duster, I've used one in the past and it works pretty damn well too...

[ODiz413]

use a clean bedsheet.. the best

[Uncle Buck]

Originally Posted by Kean

Genuine California dusters are treated with wax. ......parrifin.

thank you for backing me up. to the person who said silicon was in it.

[Rex87]

The California duster should work good. There is also the Kozak Auto Dry Wash. http://classic-motoring.stores.yahoo.net/koaudrywa.html I don't really have any first hand experience though.

[02wrbrex]

Man you all realllllly like swirl marks huh? The california duster will push the dust around, hold on to the dust, and scratch the crap out of your paint while you happily wipe your car off.
I personally would just wash my car again. If you absolutely cant do that I would use "Speed Shine" from Griots Garage with a quality microfiber towel not that crappy stuff from costco or almost any major retail store.

[HAL1]

Originally Posted by 02wrbrex

I personally would just wash my car again.

I appreciate the suggestion, but as I said in my original post, this is after a freshly cleaned car. I can't really wash my car each morning before I go to work, so I was looking for alternatives.