SoCal RJ

I know they are popular for cars for a quick dust clean, but I also have heard they use a wax base on the brush. Do you use one on your Porsche, or stay away? RJ

otuA

I've used them on other cars, they're pretty effective during pollen season, but it just isn't worth it on a car where you care about the paint.

I don't mind if my car gets a little dusty between washes... that's why I wash it.

nwGTS

Every time you use it you add scratches to the paint. If you don’t care then use it. If you do care then don’t use it. Easy decision.

ADias

I have one and it stays on the shelf, never touching a car body. If the car needs cleaning I just wash it.

cosm3os

Rule of Thumb: don't touch the paint with ANYTHING (including your hands) that isn't well-lubricated.

DC911S

oh boy.....well lubricated hands....

linderpat

I use one all the time on all of my cars and have no issues. Yes there might be micro swirls caused by it, but it is nothing visible to me. You get more damage to the paint just driving and following other cars.

cosm3os

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Some do mind the swirls and some don't follow traffic so closely.

WhipE350

+1 . The worst scratches can occur with the simple stroke of a finger.

If your car is black, red, or dark blue it will add up over time. If you are good with a buffer then no worries. Even just washing a car adds up over time that is why it is good to own a random orbital and invest some time into become good at paint correction.

Again you know some are sick like me and the paint must be perfect, others it's not about the look. To each his own.

I don't have one, just like I never clay bar without a planned random orbital polish. Again to each his own. I say love your car the way you like it, it might be one of the few things in your life you can control.

Jeff Waibel

When you go to Pebble Beach or any other massive Concours you see detailers use them on everything - yes, even the $20 million Ferraris and irreplaceable everything else. What do they know that home enthusiasts don't? They all use the original California Duster because of it's wax base. They also use one that's not brand new. The California Duster doesn't spread the dust around - the wax traps most of the contaminants. Cheap knock-offs just spread the dust. It's not the every-day tool, and certainly no substitute for proper washing. However, it's not going to wreck your paint like some of these replies suggest.

cosm3os

To each his own. Anyone who has spent 2 days doing an 8 step correction and protection, especially on a black car, won't touch their paint with ANYTHING without properly washing first.

nwGTS

^ yup, been there.

Crester

I use a mini california duster on my interior. Works amazing... picks up dust and dirt better than anything else I've used.

DesmoSD

+1 Concours and car shows use them all of the time.

Stallone: Heeeyyy Arnold, be careful, youz gonna scratch the paint...
Schwarzenegger: You should have cloned yourself...
Stallone: Whyz that?
Schwarzenegger: So you can go f**k yourself!

sctanton52

I agree on the small interior one being a very nice quick detailing tool for the dash and door panels etc. I do use the big ones on the outside but not very often. I too have seen them used at big name car shows by the ‘pros’. So it still leaves me a wee-bit confused. Of course all my P-Cars are gently hand bucket washed and blown dry. But my dear old 2008 Chevy HD2500 gets whatever drive through car wash is handy when its bath time. I gotta admit after a few hours with some good polishing products and the orbital buffer it does not look too bad, I do that about once a year. I still will get comments when people find out it is a 10 year old work truck.