drawde

Just ordered one of these.. Any tips? Reviews?

jsc12345

it works really well . . . . the dust comes off very easily specially on my white car

Vegas_AMG

A must have tool especially for a black car, I swear this car came with a dust/dirt magnet!
Hope you ordered the one with the wooden handle.

Sincity

What is so special about the wooden handle?

Spec_Davis

I definitely need one black cars are just so damn hard to maintain once you do a wipe down in a few minutes you swore that you just cleaned it.

drawde

Yeah, what's the difference with the wood handle? I know I was looking at it but I ended up getting the kit that came with the dash duster as well. Can't remember if it was the wood or plastic, but I think it might've been the plastic one.

drawde

Also, I read somewhere, might've been in the detailers section, or another forum altogether, that I'm not supposed to use it right away? Apparently we're supposed to wrap it in newspaper for a few days (I think I read 10) to get rid of excess oil?

bhamg

Used one for years...it works very well IMO. I regularly bucket wash the CCD (more like a quick one minute rinse) in unsoaped cold water just to get the loose dirt out and then hang it outdoors to dry...it dries quickly in this southwestern climate. Or, vacuum it regularly.

14cue

I just ordered one as well.
shipping to Canada is expensive!

arctichaze

you can buy one at Target

Vegas_AMG

The plastic handle is cheap plastic, the wood is very durable for a few bucks more. The fibers are impregnated with parrafin wax. They pick-up the dust very, very well.
When you get it leave it in the sun for a little while.

benyl

You can get them at Canadian Tire for $12 when they go on sale.

1st amg

I have one and it is about 20 yrs old, I have used it on all of my cars, most of them being black. This is a life saver, only use it when the car is clean and there is a light film of dust. When you receive it, place it on a newspaper for a few days. You will notice for quite some time, that it can leave tiny streaks from the lubricant they use on the threads(hairs) to pick up the dust, if it leaves a little streak, just use a microfibre towel and wipe. They say, the older and longer you have one, the better it gets, hence the age of mine. Go figure, after 20 yrs of ownership and very faithful user, this things sometimes leaves the little streaks of lubricant, so it will last for a long long time. The beauty of this thing, is I only have to wash my car which is not a daily driver and hasnt seen rain, only 5 or 6 times in the summer months. Useually, unless driven in the rain, the car jut gets dusty so this is a time saver big time. If you are like myself and dont drive your toy daily, then when you have done your tour with the toy, before you park it, use the California Duster on the car and wipe down your rims, the car will look like its been washed again....btw, I have the wooden handle one, it has more weight and strength than the plastic and aids in picking up more dust as the weight of it allows you to glide it over the car a little more effortless.

miami1lt

I love mine...only problem has been when I wiped over bird stuff I didn't see...it NEVER came out and kept streaking the car...even after washing numerous times.

But up to that point, it sucked up everything!

14cue

the crappytire in van only carry the plastic handle ones.

cnetski

Hey...Newbie here and first-ever post...

Have had the duster for many years. Tips on cleaning or maintenance for it? I saw Bhamg's reference to a quick cold-water wash or vacuuming it. Anything I need to do?

(Finally a Benz-to-be owner: 2006 CLK-500 being delivered in a day!)

NickZag

I've one with a plastic handle for 10 years and it works awesome. Just give it a good rinse when you get it and let it dry.

superlubricity

From http://calcarduster.com/faq.asp

How do I clean my Duster?

Because of a special permanently baked in paraffin treatment, The Original California Dusters are made to provide years of effective service without the need for cleaning. Simply shake them out before and after each use. The "dirtier" they get the better they work.

If you find it necessary to clean your Duster because it is too dirty or if the Duster stops lifting dust, it can be washed. You may hand wash your Duster in cold water with a mild detergent such as Woolite, then air dry. Do not use hot water to wash or hot air to dry, as heat or harsh detergent may remove the special paraffin treatment.

cnetski

Superlubricity - thanks for the cleaning update!

Sincity

Mine is from 1991 with a plastic handle. Hence my question about the wooden one.

1st amg

As well, I have never ever washed it.

Roswell

Sorry for bumping an old thread... just wanted to thanks 1st amg for showing me how to use his California dusters for the first time. I'm sold & will go get one at Canadian Tire tomorrow... it's 25$. Too bad they don't have the wooden handle.

I found it on the California dusters website for 15$us... but shipping is killer (15$us).

mac911

Just barely let the bottom of the fibers touch your car though.

Gentle gentle gentle wit hit. Don't push down, just barely let it brush/skip across the surface, barely touching.

VCA_AMG

I've had great results w/my car duster over the last 7-8 years.

A few tips I've learned/picked up--

* Don't wash it, it gets better with age
* Never "scrub" with it, just a light pass over the surface ONLY
* If your car doesn't get clean w/a light pass of the duster, your car is actually dirty and not dusty--wash your car
* Shake it every few uses by rotating the handle quickly to remove excess dust/debris
* NEVER use on a car with hot body panels, the heat melts the paraffin and leaves streaks on the paint

Living in So Cal where it rarely rains, I can keep a freshly washed car very clean for several weeks using the car duster a few times per week. It's a great tool!

Roswell

^^ Thanks for the great tips!