Am I doing something wrong

[aubrey9160]

Ive got a TVR T350 in moonraker black. Ive used a number of products to keep it shining. Dodo juice lime prime and purple haze, poorboys black hole and purple haze and auto glym SRP and EGP but all seem to attract a lot of dust and static. I did both my Volvo and TVR on Sunday and within an hour of finishing the TVR seemed to be covered in dust. Ive used used red mist on it in the past when the wax has gone off and again within an hour the car just looks dusty. Is it because its fibreglass or am I doing something wrong.
Any help appreciated.
Cheers Aub

[theshrew]

Some products tend to attract more than others.

I put DoDo Blue Velvet on my ST yesterday had the same problem this morning. However out of interest i had a look at my wheels which id coated in Coli they didnt have any on ( obv they are not a upward surface tho )

Worse for you as yours is a darker colour - Look great for 3hrs :-(

[domster]

Microfibres are the main reason - they are pure static-generators! You are rubbing them over a (plastic) surface - no grounding whatsoever. Unfortunately, few cloths are softer but maybe try the microsuede cloths (we do some Supernatural Microsuede Buffing Cloths, 6.95 GBP for two, but this is more for info than a plug) as these don't have pile and therefore the electrons rub off less.

Wool dusters (e.g. Supernatural Detailing Duster) can be statically charged to attract dust in a similar way, so going over the bike after with one of these may help. I wouldn't fancy taking one to an Outlaw meet though

[Xtremescoobys]

Maybe try a glazing polish and like he said use a cotton off cloth less static.

[Squiggs]

Time of year/atmospheric conditions can also play a part.
I worked on a black Audi today and no matter what I did - dust, dust, dust!

[theshrew]

domster said:

Microfibres are the main reason - they are pure static-generators! You are rubbing them over a (plastic) surface - no grounding whatsoever. Unfortunately, few cloths are softer but maybe try the microsuede cloths (we do some Supernatural Microsuede Buffing Cloths, 6.95 GBP for two, but this is more for info than a plug) as these don't have pile and therefore the electrons rub off less.

Wool dusters (e.g. Supernatural Detailing Duster) can be statically charged to attract dust in a similar way, so going over the bike after with one of these may help. I wouldn't fancy taking one to an Outlaw meet though

That's interesting. I can understand what you say makes sense while you polish / wax etc you get a charge.

Why does it seem to attract more dust with wax on the car than not ? My cars wax was in drastic need of a top up. No / very little wax seems to get less dust settled. Would the charge not go after a short time ?

[Xtremescoobys]

The only other thing is to Polish it then just put the hose over her and dry her again. Would take out alot of the static.

[domster]

Pat drying is also going to help vs wiping. Difficult to 'pat buff' though, so some friction is unavoidable. Cotton is better, as mentioned, but rougher than softer microfiber fabrics in most cases, so maybe don't use them on soft paint.

There can be more dust on waxed/glazed cars due to overall surface 'stickiness' - especially with microscopically-'rough' wax coats. You may find dirty or unclayed cars also attract dust but it simply won't be visible, due to the other contaminants.

Yet the super smooth silicone sealants can be bad, too - they contain silicone oils and whilst a different product in chemical terms, silicone is a semi-conductor and a little more reactive than other materials. Semi-conductors are non metals that conduct electricity, so a static feast of microfiber on paint is assured.

[TallPaul]

Could it be the plastic (fibreglass) body is building up more static charge than a normal metal shell?
Edit to say:
As has already been noted!

[theshrew]

domster said:

Pat drying is also going to help vs wiping. Difficult to 'pat buff' though, so some friction is unavoidable. Cotton is better, as mentioned, but rougher than softer microfiber fabrics in most cases, so maybe don't use them on soft paint.

There can be more dust on waxed/glazed cars due to overall surface 'stickiness' - especially with microscopically-'rough' wax coats. You may find dirty or unclayed cars also attract dust but it simply won't be visible, due to the other contaminants.

Yet the super smooth silicone sealants can be bad, too - they contain silicone oils and whilst a different product in chemical terms, silicone is a semi-conductor and a little more reactive than other materials. Semi-conductors are non metals that conduct electricity, so a static feast of microfiber on paint is assured.

Cheers Dom :-)

[aubrey9160]

Thanks every one. So its basically just static and not a lot can be done.