The California Duster...SAFE?

[Excel]

They IMO will give your car spider webs and small surface scratches
Anything that pushes dust around on your clear coat will not IMO work well

 

[Robenstein]

You will see experiences that run the gamut. First of all some people use them on cars that are too dirty, which can damage the paint. Cars are painted with different formulations of paint. Some paints are harder, some softer, and some tougher(not as hard but scratch resistant). What would be okay on one type will cause various forms of damage on others. And lastly, there is also human error regarding technique/misuse that grinds the dust and dirt into the paint.

Personally I prefer a good microfiber and some quality detailer spray.

 

[grampi]

Originally Posted By: billt460
I have been using a "California Duster" on my vehicles for the last 25 years with no ill effects. That said, it has it's limits. You must use it on an almost daily basis. You cannot allow dust to build up for several days or weeks, or use it after traversing a dusty dirt road.

But for taking off a very light coating of dust, it works very well. I'm talking about the amount of dust that would accumulate overnight on a gloss black vehicle while sitting in a garage. I also toss it for a new one when the treated yard looks excessively dirty. One needs to remember this is a dust removing tool, not a shovel. Used within it's parameters, it works safely, and as advertised. I've been to car shows and have seen owners using them on custom paint jobs costing thousands of dollars.

Also, when you first purchase them, you must air it out for a day or 2. If you don't it can streak your paint with the product it's treated with. My wife even has one she uses around the house on our furniture and table tops.


I also wouldn't recommend using it on surfaces with bugs...squished bugs and California Dusters don't mix!

 

[joel95ex]

I used one for years without any problems but usually only used it on the "uppers" like hood, doors-above the molding, roof, and trunk lid. avoid rear bumper because there's usually sand-ish dirt there. but for pollen and dust it's great

 

[Bamaro]

As the name (half)implies it is for dusting. I have used one for years on my Camaro. I always give it a light dusting before recovering it.

 

[SLCraig]

I have been using one for about 10 years, not as regularly as some, but I do use it. Never noticed any ill effects. I also have the smaller dash duster in my glovebox.