California Duster CD Test
05-18-2006, 05:59 PM
#1
California Duster CD Test
In light of the recent claims that the California Duster does in fact cause swirls and scratches, I decided to do the good old CD test on mine. It's a couple years old, and pretty dirty so I figured it would make a good candidate.
Rather than test the duster in the recommended method of use, I decided to do a worse case usage test. That would be vigorously rubbing the duster back and forth across the CD with a significant amount of force. Enough force that it knocked the CD out of my hand several times.
After about 50 passes of the duster I examined the surface of the CD under a very bright light. As those of you who have done the test before have seen, if you get it at just the right angle, it's very easy to see any imperfections in the reflection.
Much to my dismay, the anti-Duster faction was right; the surface was covered in micro-marring. It was pretty severe, almost to the point of the surface looking cloudy. But wait, then I noticed a fingerprint where I had grabbed the CD. I ran my finger across the surface and produced a big smudge. I took the CD and sprayed the surface with some glass cleaner (Stoners) and wiped it clean then washed the surface under some water. I patted it dry then re-examined the surface in the bright light and guess what. The surface was clean and clear as new. No haze, no scratches, no micro-marring.
What happened? Simple, the forceful rubbing transferred some of the paraffin from the duster to the surface of the CD. A little cleaning removed it - the same thing would happen the next time you washed your car if you did manage to get some paraffin on it.
As I have stated before - if you are really getting scratches from a California Duster, you're probably not using it correctly.
As with any other new product that we buy, it's never a bad idea to do the CD test prior to use. Keep in mind that the CD test is "worse case" because usually you're going to use more force or make more repetitions than you would in real life. If that doesn’t produce scratches, then chances are in real life use, it definitely won’t.
Rather than test the duster in the recommended method of use, I decided to do a worse case usage test. That would be vigorously rubbing the duster back and forth across the CD with a significant amount of force. Enough force that it knocked the CD out of my hand several times.
After about 50 passes of the duster I examined the surface of the CD under a very bright light. As those of you who have done the test before have seen, if you get it at just the right angle, it's very easy to see any imperfections in the reflection.
Much to my dismay, the anti-Duster faction was right; the surface was covered in micro-marring. It was pretty severe, almost to the point of the surface looking cloudy. But wait, then I noticed a fingerprint where I had grabbed the CD. I ran my finger across the surface and produced a big smudge. I took the CD and sprayed the surface with some glass cleaner (Stoners) and wiped it clean then washed the surface under some water. I patted it dry then re-examined the surface in the bright light and guess what. The surface was clean and clear as new. No haze, no scratches, no micro-marring.
What happened? Simple, the forceful rubbing transferred some of the paraffin from the duster to the surface of the CD. A little cleaning removed it - the same thing would happen the next time you washed your car if you did manage to get some paraffin on it.
As I have stated before - if you are really getting scratches from a California Duster, you're probably not using it correctly.
As with any other new product that we buy, it's never a bad idea to do the CD test prior to use. Keep in mind that the CD test is "worse case" because usually you're going to use more force or make more repetitions than you would in real life. If that doesn’t produce scratches, then chances are in real life use, it definitely won’t.
05-19-2006, 10:53 AM
#4
Originally Posted by Mathys
Thanks a lot. This should solve some doubts people have about the California Car Duster!
05-19-2006, 12:32 PM
#6
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i just got the duster 2 days ago for my SB 350Z. I had a coat of pollen and dust on it and after 5 min.....no dust...no scratches. left some residue but that was because i didn't wrap it in newspaper.
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05-19-2006, 04:30 PM
#10
Retired Admin
iTrader: (95)
Originally Posted by Wired 24/7
I want to get some bird **** on a CD, then let it bake in the sun and see if I can get it off with Z6 and a DF towel without leaving any marks.
That would be a good test.
That would be a good test.
05-19-2006, 07:31 PM
#11
Originally Posted by Wired 24/7
I want to get some bird **** on a CD, then let it bake in the sun and see if I can get it off with Z6 and a DF towel without leaving any marks.
That would be a good test.
That would be a good test.
05-19-2006, 07:43 PM
#12
Been using the California Duster over a year, works great. Also leave it on newspaper when not using it and in the carrying bag it came with when I go to gathering or car runs. It can't be beat for a little dust.
05-19-2006, 10:17 PM
#14
Originally Posted by 3hree5ive0ero
i just bought it coupla hours ago and now it's sitting on a few sheets of newspaper.. i'll find out soon enough how well it works..
05-19-2006, 10:36 PM
#16
Originally Posted by Santacruzslick
I've heard a bit about a proper cleaning method, anyone have any info on this?
05-19-2006, 11:50 PM
#18
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some people buy imitation california dusters.. make sure it says "california duster" on it.. dont buy the knock offs.. dont work all that well, as i have found out
