Is it me, or does the Cali Duster not live up to it's claims?

I just had my car waxed on Sunday by a good friend of mine (I have a Black Obsidian color) and it looked great. Well, since it picked up some dust overnite, I went to buy the Cali Duster at Kragen and dusted it off. Okay, so it looked good, and I did it again today. Now I'm seeing long sized scracthes where I ran the duster. Some look pretty ugly... am I missing something here?

What do I do now? Thanks!

 

sounds like you got everything! They scratch your car

 

Did you use it while dirt was on your car? Only use it with light dust on your car, and don't press hard while dusting off, use light strokes. Shake off the cali duster every 2 or 3 strokes. I have been using mine on my black coupe for almost a year now, never had any problems.

 

No, I would brush it off frequently. And like I said, I just washed and waxed the car on Sunday, so there was only light dust.

How do I remove the sratches?

 

On mine they weren't scratches, they were just wax streaks from the wax in the duster.

over time the duster will stop doing that... brand new it will do it a LOT.

I removed the wax streaks using Z6 quick detail spray and a microfiber towel

 

If they were black scratches, that rub off with very little effort, let the duster sit on a newspaper overnight in an area where its not very cold, (but not very hot). It will absorb the extra grease. I've been using mine for a year, and had this happen. Also, the california dash duster is pretty good too!

 

Mine does the same thing.. I'll get some light scratches but I have no choice coz I can't stand the dust. plus other method takes longer.

 

i've never had a problem. i've been using the same duster for about 5 years now. on my previous car, and my current car, the G.

 

^ +1 it works better over time as some of the excess wax gets used up.

 

If you look at the literature it comes with - it tells you that this will happen. It takes about 5-6 uses for it to really work well, and you should never use it on a hot car - as the material is impregnated with wax an will melt and destroy its useability.

Read the literature it came with.

 

The duster (3 minutes) or washing my car everyday (1 1/2 hours).....Tough choice.
Potential for scratches from light strokes from the duster are minimal if done properly.
Potential for scratches from washing and drying is far greater. Washing/drying also removes some of the wax/protective products.

The California Duster is the best car product I have for my black G.

 

Agreed. I love mine.

Here in Austin it's nothing but construction and dust everywhere you go. I run the duster over my car once or twice a week between weekly washes.

Sometimes I follow up the duster with Z6 spray (if post-duster the car is essentially clean) and it looks like it's just been washed. I call it my "dry cleaning" ... if the car is not actually dirty (just dusty), I think there's minimal risk of scratches.. like Houston-G said, less risk than wash/dry.

I have the dashduster as well but rarely use it.

 

The way to use the duster is to hold the duster and lightly brush it over the surface, with the fibers making minimal contact. If you're using it like a mop, and pressing it into the surface, you'll likely scratch the car.

I've used mine this way on my black Lexus for years, and when I finally sold it, I noticed very little in the way of scratches, and probably none from the Duster. My son is still using my original one for his car.

 

It takes you 90 minutes to wash your car?!?! You must loveeeeeeeee taking your time

 

I've never used a duster of any kind. I rinse dust off with water hose
then blow dry with my leaf blower. Takes me about 5-7 mins,start-finish.

My neighbors think I'm crazy but who cares.