PHOENIX — When a haboob (dust storm) rolls through, it doesn’t just turn the sky sepia; it grinds everything in fine, abrasive dust. Airport perimeter cameras, runway and gate views, freeway/LPR sites, intersection PTZs, even indoor terminal domes near doors all take the hit. Video turns hazy, AI alarms spike from false motion, and LPR accuracy drops because contrast and edge definition collapse.

This is exactly the moment to reach for Dotworkz DomeWizard™—a ladder-free cleaning system designed to restore optical clarity without scratching sensitive domes, flats, or coated glass.

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Why dust storms wreck video—and how scratches happen

Haboob dust is loaded with silica (think microscopic sand). On the Mohs scale, that’s hard enough to micro-scratch plastics like polycarbonate and can even mark coated glass if it’s dragged across the surface.

That’s why older camera housings with built-in wipers often make things worse after dust events. Storms like these typically leave powdery deposits, not rain. Those deposits collect on the wiper arm and seat; then, when the wiper cycles dry (or nearly dry), the rubber blade literally sand-scratches plastic—and can abrade coated glass. The result: permanent haze, flares at night, and soft images that AI and LPR systems struggle to interpret.

Bottom line: after a dust storm, never “dry wipe” and avoid cycling wipers until the surface has been safely rinsed and lifted clean.

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The DomeWizard difference: clean, don’t grind

DomeWizard is a gentle, reach-anywhere cleaning system purpose-built for security optics:

•Microfiber dome mitt is designed to lift grit from curved and flat lenses instead of pushing it around.

•Pro-Clean Lens Cleaning Solution (DW-32OZ-SOL): streak-free, anti-static, and free of alcohol/ammonia—so it won’t strip coatings or leave residue that re-attracts dust.

•Carbon-fiber and aluminum extension poles (13’, 25’, 40’) let crews reach high poles, concourses, terminal atriums, and freeway gantries from the ground—no lift rental, no lane closure, no ramp shutdowns.

For airport ops and DOT teams, this means faster recovery after the storm: restore runway views, gate areas, perimeter fence lines, taxiways, freeway incident cameras, and LPR assets the same shift—safely.

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Field-proven workflow for haboob recovery (airport + roadway)

1.Pre-Rinse (No Wipers): Heavily mist the lens/dome with Pro-Clean. Let it dwell 15–30 seconds to float dust.

2.Lift, Don’t Scrub: Use the DomeWizard microfiber head with light, single-direction passes. Rotate to a clean section of the mitt frequently.

3.Final Pass: Light re-mist and a gentle final pass to remove any film. Avoid circular, high-pressure motions (that can pinball grit).

4.Check Night Performance: Verify IR and low-light scenes for halos or flares; repeat a light pass if needed.

5.Delay Wipers: If the housing has a wiper, keep it disabled until you’ve completed the wet clean and there’s visible moisture to cushion the blade.

Pro tips for critical optics (LPR/AI):

•Prioritize LPR lanes and runway/approach views first—these feed safety and enforcement decisions.

•Swap or launder microfiber heads frequently during large recoveries; “clean fabric only” policy at the bucket.

•Never use paper towels (wood fibers scratch). Avoid glass cleaners with ammonia (can attack coatings).

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Airport cameras: keep the apron, taxiway, and perimeter clear

Monsoon-season grit accumulates fast on cameras aimed at gates and aprons. Glare and soft focus at night can mask FOD, vehicles, or personnel hazards. With the 25’ DomeWizard kit, ground crews can service most terminal-mounted domes from floor level; the 40’ kit reaches higher poles around perimeters and parking structures without coordinating a lift or tug. Indoors, the Compact 13’ Kit is perfect for concourses, baggage halls, and security portals—quick touch-ups with minimal disruption.

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Roadways & LPR: clarity = compliance

Traffic cams and LPR systems must resolve fine characters and plate edges under headlight glare. Post-haboob dust creates a milky veil that LPR algorithms interpret as noise—driving misreads and data gaps. The 40’ kit lets DOT teams clean mast arms and high poles from the shoulder; the 25’ kit covers most intersections and parking facility entrances. Because Pro-Clean dissipates static, it slows dust re-adhesion, stretching time between service cycles when the next gust hits.

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Quick “After the Haboob” checklist

•☐ Disable wipers on affected housings until wet-cleaned

•☐ Prioritize safety-critical views (runways/taxiways, incident cams, LPR lanes)

•☐ Pre-mist, dwell, lift—no dry wipes

•☐ Rotate mitt fabric often; launder between zones

•☐ Confirm night scenes for halos/flares; re-pass if needed

•☐ Log sites for a preventive pass in 24–48 hours (dust resettles)

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Which kit fits your sites?

•Compact 13’ Kit – Terminals, concourses, parking garages, indoor vestibules.

•Best-Selling 25’ Kit – Airport aprons and perimeter buildings; arterials, intersections, campus roads.

•Max Reach 40’ Kit – Freeways, tall poles, high parapets, large-scale roadway grids.

All DomeWizard kits are part of the Dotworkz Elevated Camera Cleaning System and work with the Pro-Clean 32oz long-throw sprayer to reach lenses from the ground.

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Why this matters for AI & LPR uptime

•AI analytics: Dust haze reduces contrast and edge sharpness → more false positives and missed detections.

•LPR: Micro-scratches and film create bloom around characters → lower read rates, especially at night.

•TCO: Avoids premature lens/dome replacements caused by wiper-induced abrasion and improper cleaning.

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The takeaway

Haboobs don’t have to sideline your video. With the right wet-clean, lift-don’t-grind workflow and a DomeWizard in the truck, teams can bring airport and roadway cameras back to crystal clarity without adding a single scratch. And by skipping the wiper cycle until the surface is truly clean, you protect your optics for the long haul—plastic domes and coated glass.