DigitalWidgets

I hit my car with a California Duster, a microfiber towel and detail spray on a daily basis. Just a quick touch up so that my DD always looks sharp when I jump in the next day.

I went to the Long Beach Grand Prix Corvette Corral parking last Friday (great day...and cool souvenir!)...which basically requires you to drive your Vette on the beach (yes, across the sand) for about 100 yards. I didn't think twice about it, and we had a great parking spot right up front.

After several trips back to the car to dump off swag, I noticed finger prints from my kid closing the hatch (sweat, sunscreen, no problem). Of course I do what I always do, pull my shirt sleeve down and give them a quick wipe. As I'm "buffing" the prints off, I realize that the car is covered in a light coating of sand. I'm sure I introduce some lovely new scratches!

When I got home, I hit the car lightly with the California Duster....but I'm thinking, no way with the detail spray and the microfiber. Since I just washed it Thursday night (can't show up to a Corvette Coral without your car being spotless ya know!), I'm not going to get around to washing it again for at least another 2 weeks.

So what would CF do? Do I just let the car get dirty (heaven forbid!), or is it safe to use the detail spray? Or am I making too much ado about nothing? Yeah, if these are the worst of my problems, life ain't too bad ya know!

ProfessorDeath

A quick buff should fix your potential microswirls.

Run N. Gun

I would just wash the whole car, especially knowing there was sand on the paint. That way I don't have to worry about more scractches. That's just me....

It takes me 10 minutes to wash my car with 1-1.5 gallons of water with an ounce of Optimum Wash and Wax.

42Chevy

I would wash it.

dvilin

Just wash it as soon as you get a chance.

BostonJoel

Went to a show Saturday and came home with pollen but not sand. Washed it off with clear water first using the Shower setting on the nozzle and then washed it gently with a high sudzing car wash (Meguiar's, Griot, etc.).
Good luck,

JerriVette

Have a black vette...so I wash once a week..

My suggestion give it a 12 minute wash and wax.

FAUEE

Definitely wash it before doing anything else to it. The water will harmlessly remove most of the sand.

I usually keep a small MF towel in the glove box (or probably back storage compartment for the vette) for emergencies that would otherwise require use of a shirt sleeve.

truckplay

i wash mine before and after Petit every year

Flh Den

I have a turbine type HVLP that I use to spray lacquer and enamels with which is basically a high end master blaster. It is perfect for removing dust and pollen after a ride. I blow the whole car down then very lightly swipe it with the California duster then detail spray with a couple of my favorite microfiber cloths, and I have yet to scratch the clear coat. Personally if I had beach sand on mine I would wash it first though. It's only a 15 minute job..

Rich Mickol

Wash my friend.

richie15

I use a duster on the body and a Swiffer on the wheels when I get home if I take a ride in good weather and conditions that haven't put a lot of stuff on the car. I really wouldn't dust it if it was in a sand condition. You're also putting some sand in the duster for future use.

newskatercat

California Duster is for "DUST", not sand! Rinse car off!

6893Vette

Wash with plenty of water.

cpmatthew

I agree with what everyone here has said. Give it a good rinse and then wash it properly. 15-20 minutes now can save you hours of buffing later.

Glenmcp

Lots of water with some pressure before you rinse with the hose while using a leaf blower.

DigitalWidgets

Ugh! I guess you're all telling me what I should have already known. I got some free samples of Mother's soap at the lifestyle display at the race, so I guess I can try that out.

And now that I think about it, it probably time to replace that Duster...now that I've probably loaded it up with sand.

redrckt97

I would not use a duster on a car covered with sand -- and if you already have, I would not use that duster again - its bound to be
full of sand now and will scratch whatever it is used on.


water is the answer -- rinse the sand off thoroughly

redrckt97

oh and btw, I watched the race and could see the Corvette corral in the helicopter shots --very cool

wera32

I must be doing something wrong. It takes me an hour to wash and dry my car. 10-15 minute wash?