California Car Duster & Waterblade safe on paint?

Always wondered if these tools are safe on paint.

From my understanding, the waterblade can cause marring if stuff gets on the blade edge.

And the duster is kind of more intended for show cars that sit indoors and collect dust (as opposed to road grime and dirt).

 

waterblade can be quite dangerous if it catches something
car duster... well i dont think its a problem aslong as its real soft

 

i would not use either one of them. had both, seen what it can do to cars. water blade is somewhat ok to use on glass

 

Car Duster

The best known brand (California Car Duster) it can be used to remove light dust without causing scratches hold at the end of the 21-inch handle and applying very little surface pressure with the duster, dusting with long strokes in one direction only, the dust is collected by paraffin wax and held in the cotton fibres (the same way a micro fibre cloth works (but without the paraffin wax) Shake the duster after each pass to ensure any particles picked up will drop out rather than come to the surface while you’re using it. It important to use the duster only for the removal of dry surface dust, if the vehicle has oily road film, road tar, damp pollen or dust, etc the vehicle surface should be washed (or use Optimum Polymer Technologies No Rinse (ONR) rinse less wash)

Dust build-up-with low humidity conditions friction on the paint surface will cause static electricity (this is exacerbated by the use of polyester (nylon) micro fibre) resulting in dust attraction to the paint surface.

Unlike most other car dusters which are paraffin wax covered cotton fibres, the GP Wool Duster is an all-wool Australian pelt. Use the duster on paint surfaces that have been sitting for a while’ This particular brush works by creating static electricity and lifting the light dirt particles, rather than pressure, to remove dust makes this duster more effective as well as safe for all paint surfaces.

Rather than relying on surface tension to hold on to dust, this wool duster simply uses static charges, created by twirling the duster in your hands, to safely lift dust from the surface. Almost no surface pressure is necessary to make it 100% effective. It's hand washable and should last you years. You can get the smaller one for the interior as well. GP Australian Wool Duster

It important to use these methodologies only for the removal of dry surface dust, don’t use if surface has condensation or dew, or if the vehicle has oily road film, road tar, damp pollen or dust, etc in these instances the vehicle surface should be subjected to a conventional car washing process

 

Water Blade:

The best-known US brand the Original California Water Blade (equivalent UK Autoglym Hydra-Blade) is made of medical-grade silicone, which is very soft and flexible; it will not scratch the paint in and of itself. It can be used to remove water after washing the vehicle without causing scratches by applying very little surface pressure with the blade, wiping with long strokes in one direction only.

If there is any grit left on the car after washing, the blade may pick it up and drag it across the paint, much the same as a towel would, this can be avoided by wiping the blade with a clean damp towel after every pass.

The water blade should be protected when not in use. If it is crushed in storage, the edge may take a set and leave a stripe of water on the car, the water blade comes with a protective plastic case, use it for blade storage.

Like any tool, the water blade does require a little bit of technique and practice. The first few times I used mine, it tended to chatter on the surface, resulting in incomplete drying. It turns out this is eliminated by using just the right angle, and pressure on a wet blade. Smoothness can also be affected by the surface condition of the paint (wax, sealant oxidation, etc.) and any coating that might be on the water blade itself.

I will add that I now only use this tool on glass surfaces, but that’s just over cautious OCD me

Caution: do not use a water blade to remove rainwater as there could be road grit on the paint surface or the rain may contain impurities that could scratch the paint.

 

I just spent 8 hours yesterday wetsanding various scratches from a brand new GTI caused by waterblade use thanks to one of my newly hired "detailers". They're a big no no on paint for me.

 

I would not use either. No matter what the Duster claims....I just dont like dragging things over the paint surface when dry.

Just my 2 cents.

 

They are best used to help fill up a trash can.

 

My thoughts on the Water Blade - ok as long as the paint is clean, if you damage a car with one - either the paint wasn't completely clean in which case a towel or anything else would damage it. I have heard all the horror and drama over the years and fine - if ya don't like it I could care less, it works for me.

 

I've corrected paint after the Water Blade was used. Just too much risk involved. Don't do it dog.