Dust is not only unappealing, but it can also easily damage the paintwork and strip your car of its shine. Getting rid of dust properly is important as there’s a lot more to the process than simply wiping the vehicle with a rag. If you’re wondering whether simply wiping dust off your car would scratch it, the answer is — it could, but it doesn’t have to.
I’ll explore some safe ways to remove dust and protect your paint finish, but first, let’s see what dust can do to your car.
Can Dust Scratch Your Car?
Most often, dust consists of soil particles, sand, pollen, and even break and engine matter. This outdoor dust sticks to your car like glue and if removed incorrectly, can be a shine-killer. Even worse, dust can leave scratch and swirl marks and chip the paint off the vehicle.
Ultimately, if you look at dust particles, they are nothing more than microscopic pieces of rock stuck to the paintwork. Although they might not be visible to the eye, you should still consider them rocks.
That being said, it’s clear that if you drag these tiny rocks along the surface of your car, they are likely to cause damage. To prevent this from happening, it’s important to know to get rid of dust as gently and as safely as possible.
Here are some proven ideas and products you can use to clean your car and have it look as good as new.
How to Remove Dust From Car Without Scratching
There are several approaches you can take and different products you can use to remove dust carefully. Before you start, make sure your car is in the shade and cool to the touch, as lacquer can be sensitive to high temperatures.
Use a Duster
Dusters are light, easy to use, and can save you from using a vacuum cleaner. Better yet, they can clean those hard-to-reach places such as air vents.
You can choose from an array of both disposable and durable dusters available on the market. They are equally comfortable and easy to handle.
My personal favorite is Dust Monster Merino Wool Duster, made of the finest Merino sheep wool. The static it generates attracts dust particles and lifts them lightly, eliminating the possibility of damage. The duster is incredibly light and available in two different sizes — the Original and the Extra Large.
Microfiber dusters are another popular option. The synthetic microfiber produces an electrostatic charge that attracts and traps dust like a magnet. California Car Duster is well-known for its durability and efficiency. Moreover, it’s non-toxic, safe, and doesn’t scratch the paint.
Use a Detailer Spray
A detailer spray is something most car owners can’t go without. It encapsulates dust particles and removes them entirely while protecting the paint and adding to its gloss.
Go for a high-quality detailer such as Ultimate Quick Detailer and use a quality microfiber cloth to wipe the vehicle. As I already mentioned, microfiber attracts dust and is perfect for safely removing it.
Start cleaning your car from top to bottom. This way, you won’t have to dust the same areas twice. Spray a sufficient amount of the detailer on the surface and wipe back and forth in straight lines to avoid swirls.
Use a No-Rinse Car Wash Solution
With Optimum No Rinse Wash And Shine, cleaning and removing dust is made easy. With as little as half a bucket of water and one cap of the liquid, you can get rid of dust and dirt, as well as protect your car. The polymers in the solution protect the paint from abrasion and leave a shiny, beautiful-looking finish.
Simply dip a clean microfiber cloth in the solution and wipe down your car. Since no rinsing is needed, you get to conserve water and the environment. The wash is non-toxic, so you can use whatever is left in the bucket to water your lawn.
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What Not to Do When Trying to Remove Dust
To stop you thinking about if wiping dust off a car will scratch it, here are some of the things you should keep in mind:
- Never clean the vehicle in direct sunlight or excessive heat. The heat makes the lacquer malleable and dust particles are more likely to sink deeper into the paint. Thus, it’ll be harder for you to remove them.
- Never use a dirty cloth to wipe your vehicle. The dirt is likely to damage the paintwork
- Never dry wipe your car. Using any kind of lubrication is better than using just a dry cloth. Dry wiping will strip the paint of its gloss and leave swirls.
- Avoid using old T-shirts, paper towels, or kitchen cloths. Always go for microfiber rags, as they are much more effective and less likely to cause damage.
If your car is not just dusty but also covered with mud and dirt then you would need more deep car wash. Here in this article you can find all the information on how to properly wash it.
In Conclusion
Keeping the exterior of a vehicle in good shape and sparkling clean is important to every car owner. Although wiping dust off a car can cause scratches and swirls, it’s not all bad news. As long as you do it properly, using quality products and proven methods, you don’t have to worry about causing any damage to your paintwork. Keep these tips in mind and your car will look as beautiful as ever.
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- By CarRoar