California Duster

[Beemerboy]

OK I have a 5 plus year old CD that has been used ALOT! it seems like its not picking up quite as good as it use to...I know they say never to wash it and I'm not going to...My question is...is there a point when these wear out? or stop picking up as they should?

 

[bsdsys]

Good question. I was thinking of getting one instead of using a MF that I keep in my car for this purpose only. Good that you got 5 years out of it though. Not bad at all.

Bryan

 

[RTexasF]

I think they do finally poop out. I chucked the one I had after about five years and bought a new one (for LESS money) with a plastic handle as opposed to the orignal wooden handle. Works fine for me.

 

[Beemerboy]

Good question. I was thinking of getting one instead of using a MF that I keep in my car for this purpose only. Good that you got 5 years out of it though. Not bad at all.

Bryan

Bryan

A MF towel will not do what a CD will....the CD has a product sprayed onto it and designed to lift the dust off the car with minimal amount of pressure on the car....kind of like a dust magnetic

I have a black BMW and it gets uesd every day

 

[Beemerboy]

I think they do finally poop out. I chucked the one I had after about five years and bought a new one (for LESS money) with a plastic handle as opposed to the orignal wooden handle. Works fine for me.

I have the plastic handle one and the duster part is round, compared to one sided....I agree I think that mines ready for the trash

 

[bsdsys]

Bryan

A MF towel will not do what a CD will....the CD has a product sprayed onto it and designed to lift the dust off the car with minimal amount of pressure on the car....kind of like a dust magnetic

I have a black BMW and it gets uesd every day

Ya, I've heard good things about the CD. Didn't know it had an actual chemical on it to help aide in the removal on dust. I knew it was for dust but didn't know about the chemical. Either way, thanks for the info. Makes the decision to buy one a little easier because I have used them and think they look great. Time for my own though.

Bryan

 

[Beemerboy]

Ya, I've heard good things about the CD. Didn't know it had an actual chemical on it to help aide in the removal on dust. I knew it was for dust but didn't know about the chemical. Either way, thanks for the info. Makes the decision to buy one a little easier because I have used them and think they look great. Time for my own though.

Bryan

Yea I don't know what on it, but they say that even if it gets dirty that it still works...mine seems to be picking up less and less these days...so I have some suspect that they wear out over time

 

[bsdsys]

Yea I don't know what on it, but they say that even if it gets dirty that it still works...mine seems to be picking up less and less these days...so I have some suspect that they wear out over time

Just picked one up for 5 bucks at Autozone. If it lasts me 5 years I will be totally happy with that for 5 bucks. I don't plan on using it on the exterior so.

Bryan

 

[Beemerboy]

Just picked one up for 5 bucks at Autozone. If it lasts me 5 years I will be totally happy with that for 5 bucks. I don't plan on using it on the exterior so.

Bryan

That's where I am using mine! they make them for inside and outside applications

 

[vwgtivw]

I think they are coated with paraffin wax.If you have a Big Lots by you check them out, I pick-up the suv size one for about $6-$8.

 

[audiboy]

I've always been interested in how these work, so I did a bit of research. The following is from California Car Duster Company - Home Page

The Original California Car Duster® literally works like magic. It utilizes the proven technology of baking a special paraffin wax into 100% cotton strands to assure that dust is lifted and removed, not just pushed around. The Original California Car Duster® gives cars the appearance of looking just washed. The traditional, classic wood handle, and heavy duty mophead preferred by car show entrants and enthusiasts.

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

 

[bsdsys]

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

Has any tried this method of cleaning their CD with positive results? If no responses are given I am going to try and find an old one from "someone", and see what the results would be.

Bryan

 

[budman3]

I accidently left mine out in the bed of my truck overnight .... and it rained... this was a few years ago and the duster changed to an off white/yellowish color and didn't seem to have the same feeling as the pre-rain. So that got thrown away and I bought a new one... great product but I won't be washing mine anytime soon...

 

[JaredPointer]

For $9 why not just buy a new one??

 

[bsdsys]

Well, if you could get away with cleaning it I would take that route over spending the money anyday. It sounds like just the rain alone ruined it so purchasing another one when time comes sounds like the way to go.

Bryan

 

[audiboy]

The information that I posted was only for The Original California Car Duster and others may deal with washing differently. I would try washing it first before I went out and bought a new one. Yeah, it's only $9, but it's $9 I can spend elsewhere if the washing rejuvenates it.

 

[bsdsys]

The information that I posted was only for The Original California Car Duster and others may deal with washing differently. I would try washing it first before I went out and bought a new one. Yeah, it's only $9, but it's $9 I can spend elsewhere if the washing rejuvenates it.

:cheers:

 

[JaredPointer]

Well, if you could get away with cleaning it I would take that route over spending the money anyday. It sounds like just the rain alone ruined it so purchasing another one when time comes sounds like the way to go.

Bryan

I would try washing it first before I went out and bought a new one. Yeah, it's only $9, but it's $9 I can spend elsewhere if the washing rejuvenates it.

I don't agree with this logic at all. As much as we scrutinize over our finishes, and for a tool that we are going to use that does nothing but come into contact with the surface, 9$ is very little to spend if you are satisfied that the tool has seen it's better days. If spending as little as $9 was an issue, I doubt I could use more than half the products that I have sitting on the shelf. To me, there's not really an issue about using tools that I am satisfied are in good shape and if something has passes it's useful life in my estimation, it's good piece of mind to get something to replace it.

 

[audiboy]

If washing rejuvinates it, why would you throw it away? To me, that's like using a buffing pad and throwing it away after the first use. It's dirty, but washing it would bring it back to life.

 

[CharlesW]

While I can't help with the washing question, I can throw out some information on my experience with the CA Duster.
I have three of them, two of the wood handle original style, and one of the wood handle "Super Duster".
All of them are around 10+ years old and one of the originals is close to 20 years old and all seem to work fine.
I don't wash them, but I do beat them on the side of the trash can several times during use and when I'm finished. I also don't try to remove dirt/dust that really needs to be washed off. If the vehicles are dusted daily, it doesn't seem like you pick up all that much dust in the CA Duster itself.

There is a difference between the original wood handle duster and the so called "orignal" with the plastic handle. The yarn on all three of mine is almost twice the diameter and about 50% longer than the yarn on the $10 dusters. Is the difference enough to justify twice the price? That's for each to decide for themselves. I might use one of the cheaper ones for the interior, but I still would buy the more expensive one for the exterior. I have never owned one of the $9 ones so I'm not knocking them. It's just that I have been so satisfied with the ones I have, that I'm not likely to change. FWIW, I did buy one of the small "Dash Duster's" and didn't think it picked up the dust very good. I rarely use it.

One thing about washing one, what do you have to lose? You can still throw it away if you aren't happy with the way it works after washing. Just try it on a small area, (maybe the car of someone you don't particularly care for), before you do your entire vehicle.

Charles