Microfiber Car Duster (harbor freight)

S

Scooby24

New member
Now, I know the reaction most would probably have to anything Harbor Freight sells, but I've found that after applying an LSP, if the customer doesn't pick up their car right away, I may end up with a light layer of dust on the car. To remedy, I've been simply blowing it off or using a microfiber towel, but have been wanting a California duster type tool. While in HF the other day picking up some random tools for the house, I came across this:



Microfiber Exterior Car Duster



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I picked it up as the price was too good not to (especially with the 20% off coupons I always get).



It seems to work great, is very soft and gentle on the car. However the instructions on the packaging says they recommend never washing it as the fibers have a wax on them already that aids in picking up dust.



That had me a little concerned that might also be leaving behind something on the vehicle that I don't want. Any cause for concern there? Are others using similar tools or should I ditch it?
 
If it were me I would use compressed air or a leaf blower.



I think people either love those things or they hate them around here.



If you absolutely have to use something like that - I would go with a wool duster.
 
Some guys swear by these types of dusters, others swear at them.



Like anything else that comes in to contact with your car's paint, they do have the potential to cause marring. Whether or not they do actually cause marring is, of course, up to how they're actually used. If they're drawn across the paint with a very (VERY) light touch, chances are you'll be ok. But get too heavy handed, and whatever stuff is on your car is going to be dragged across the clear coat.



Light surface dust on a freshly LSP'd surface (and a light touch on the duster) would likely be fine.



Remember that whatever the duster picks up in it's material is glued to it by the waxy coating. Basically, you're turning it in to sand paper over time. Those particles will have an abrasive effect on your clear coat, worsening as it gets dirtier, requiring even more care the dirtier it gets. You may want to consider this a disposable detailing tool, throwing it away before it becomes too abrasive.



Some guys do a quick ONR wash on a car if it gets dusty before the customer picks it up. Probably a good bit safer than a duster.
 
The dirt drag issue is always on my mind so my intended use is only for LSP dusting or post-correction dusting. I definitely wouldn't be using it after it's gotten dirty :-)
 
I have one (original, not HF) that I use at times to dust a car, for example when I polish one car in the garage, the other gets dusty. I always spray the duster with some QD. It seems to help with dust pickup and I don't seem to get scratching, though I have hard clears and only use on dusty not dirty cars.
 
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