Hi all - fairly simple question but I think worth asking (as it's my paint):

I have a BEAUTIFUL black 190 with perfect paint. It's washed and waxed regularly, but like all black cars begins to show dust and pollen after about two days. Meguire has this 'quick detail' product (or something similar in name) and the concept as I understand it is that you apply to a really soft rag (or paint) and wipe off light (LIGHT) dust and particulates.

I dunno - sounds like this would scratch the paint up pretty good. Is this a product strictly for touch-up fifteen minutes after you wash (and before the concourse judges have a look)?

Does anyone out there have experience with this stuff? The car is washed every two weeks (max) and though I'm not trying to extend that, I'd just like to ward off the interim accumulation a little.

You know - it's that 'mysteriously appears overnight' powder-coat...

Thanks - Matt

Matt,
I know what you mean. You have to give your paint a good spraying of the stuff and then wipe it off. From my experience it has not scratched my paint but I have gone through 2 bottles in the past 3 months thanks to NY weather and pollution. My paint is grey so maybe someone with black paint can chime in but don't use it in place of a wash.

yal
88 230E (W124)

[This message has been edited by yal (edited 07-26-2000).]

I use Quick Detailer to remove bird droppings on an otherwise clean car. I also use it after washing and drying when I don't plan to wax. It seems to extend the life of the wax and feed the paint.
I don't use it as a replacement for washing my entire car...even if my car is just dusty.

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Bill Wood - Webmaster
MercedesShop.com, LLC

For a total car de-dusting I try to avoid it. For spot treatment of bird droppings or other stuff you can use it. (or for a quick touch-up between steps if the car has not left the closed garage) Say...between a marathon detailing session of one late night that gets continued after some sleep, advil, and shoulder rest. Keep a bottle in the trunk with some proper towels/rags for emergencies. For everything else...just wash it. For dedusting...I prefer to drive the car 150+ to remove any light dust...j/k

Hope this helps...Lee

Thanks Lee, but it's a 190. However, 120 should do the trick and then I can use the detailer for the bug splats...

My Range Rover is black and I use the quick detailer stuff frequently. When the car has just been washed and gets rained on the next day, I use either meguiars quick detailer mist and wipe or mirror glaze final inspection to remove all water spots. the car is 6 years old and has no paint damage due to these products.

Jesse
98 C43
97 saab 900 turbo
94 Range Rover

I have been using a Clifornia car duster for the past month and I couldn't be happier! With all the dust, never any rain, I would never have a clean car. I "dust" my car before I head out and it looks great! I have performed very close inspections and I have never seen any scratches. Has anyone else heard or tried a duster?

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Make it a Good One!
1993 500E

Ernest,

I have used a duster for several years on my cars for very light amounts of dust and never detected any scratches from it. Don't have any black cars, though. Works for me on dk blue, white, dk green, and smoke silver. I use it before detailer when it has been in the garage or after short trips into the San Antonio dust.

Roger

Yep, California Car Duster works for me. Just yesterday I did a whole day's worth of woodworking in fornt of an open garage. Before taking my bi-weekly "cruise" last evening I gave the car a quick (2-min) dust-off and she looked "purdy" as ever.

Brian
*1986 2.3-16V
*Pearl Black AMG rims, yellow calipers
*Pearl Black grille and frame
*Euro headlights, clear blinkers
*Smoked taillights
*Zebrano wood kit
*White-faced gauges
*H&R springs/Bilstein shocks (yet to be installed)

Dusters can work well on very clean finishes that have *big suprise* a bit of dust on them. However, I've heard of dusters being nearly ruined (the offending debris/residue being trapped in the duster then accross the paint ad infinitum) *think dropping the rag* if you happen to rub it accross some tar, grit, etc. Look before you wipe and you should be fine.

Hope this helps...Lee

Brian - where do I find this duster locally? Winchester Auto?

Here in Tucson it is so DUSTY most of the time that I rarely get to use these fine products! Since my 190 is Black Pearl the dust shows almost immediately.....ugh! Ditto for the Cal Duster....I don't use them due to all the dust...just wash the car (usually twice a week). Also, from my experience unless you really clean the dusters after every dusting they transfer/grind all that dust back into your paint.....very fine micro scratches! Watch out..especially for those with darker colors!

Dave Browning
89 190E 2.6

Purchased my duster from Performance Products. The technique I use is letting the tips of the strands do the dusting; never putting the full weight of the duster on the vehicle. Also, I shake it vigorously after every major surface -- hood (shake), top (shake), trunk (shake), etc. One MAJOR prerequisite -- the car has to have been recently waxed. It's not feasible for me to wash my car before driving just to get the dust off, since I only drive it once (maybe twice) per week. AND, it never sits outside for more than a few hours.

Brian
*1986 2.3-16V
*Pearl Black AMG rims, yellow calipers
*Pearl Black grille and frame
*Euro headlights, clear blinkers
*Smoked taillights
*Zebrano wood kit
*White-faced gauges
*H&R springs/Bilstein shocks (yet to be installed)