Car anti-smoke bomb

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I'm considering purchasing a car that has been heavily smoked in. Leather interior.

After driving it, felt sick getting out. It was disgusting. Brought back memories of why I broke up with one of the hottest girls I ever dated.

Any hope of getting the smell out?

[Joeaksa]

You and I have had the same issue. Major reason why I am not with my ex-wife is her love affair with the cigarette.

Feel the same way about it today. When I am given a hotel room that has been smoked in its back down to the front desk for something else. Have had them put an "ozone generator" in rooms to take the smell away but it never works well.

No idea how to cure the smoking smell. For me it usually takes years to let the smell go away and very few cars are worth the wait IMHO...

[74-911]

Agree with Joe re: hotel rooms. Have been in rooms that were smoked in years ago before being "converted" to smokeless. It seems that no matter how much they cleaned, deodarized, etc., when you first walk in you can still smell the smoke. I think a car's interior would be much more difficult to get the smell out of than a hotel room.

[trekkor]

Replace the entire interior?


Sorry, I have nothing else to offer.


KT

[jriera]

Take smoking??

[Tobra]

you will need to change all the filters for the ventilation system, steam clean the carpet, seats and headliner, and still won't get it all. You can keep a few bounce dryer sheets sitting under the front seats to get a different smell, but it will be toughtell them you are interested but the nicotine stench is worth 25% off

[Scott R]

My brother did auto re-conditioning on European cars for an exotic dealer, he said there are a few ways to fix this, first is to find a shop with a "Fogger." They require a chemical to be discharged sending the fog into the air.The chemical fog kills bacteria, and foggers disperse chemicals into every microscopic pore of a vehicle.

Second is to remove all of the air ducts, and the fresh air filters and clean everything with vinegar. The major factor to the small is the layer of tar in the vents and upholstery. Also have to remove the instrument cluster and clean the glass/plastic as well.

Third is using a vapor steam machine, not sure how they work, but he says they do.

Honestly, I have smelled the before and after and its quite remarkable.

[BGCarrera32]

Douce the entire interior down (carpet/seats/dash/cluster/everything) with a couple boxes if baking soda, shut the doors and park out of the sun, cycle the blowers in the dash for a few minutes, let it sit windows up for a week. Come back, suck all the soda out, shampoo the carpets.

And have fun in the process.

[trekkor]

What kind of car is it?


KT

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Thanks for all the input. I like several of these options.

it's a 98 GMC Jimmy, loaded, $115,000 miles, overall very good shape: $1000

It's nicer than my Jeep which is more of a work truck. Will make an excellent winter truck that I can still use on a date.

[Dottore]

A good car detailing shop should be able to take care of this for you. I'm not sure how they do it - but I know they can.

[BlueSideUp]

I don't know if it will help but one thing used at crime scenes is to fill the tub with Scope, apparently it's really good at killing bacteria in the air and getting rid of bad smells. I recently discovered some unholy nastiness in our lazy susan (old potatos rotting). After a thorough cleaning I put two tubs of Scope in the lazy susan and let it sit for a week with cabinet door closed. Smells are now gone!

I feel for you on the smell, I looked at a VW R32 with 3K on it a few years ago and about threw up within 2 miles. I had all of the windows down too!

[dad911]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

I'm considering purchasing a car that has been heavily smoked in. Leather interior.

After driving it, felt sick getting out. It was disgusting. Brought back memories of why I broke up with one of the hottest girls I ever dated.

Any hope of getting the smell out?

No hope of getting it out totally. You will go crazy trying. I have a BMW bought from a dealership that was pre-owned in 2002. Didn't notice the smoke because it was 'heavily detailed'. 5 years later, we have scrubbed, left deodorizers and odor eaters in the car for months, always parked with the windows cracked open, etc. Still get a wiff when I hop in the car.

Don't buy it.

[masraum]

Time, fresh air, aind sun and the smell will eventually fade away.

[scottmandue]

Use the car as a dog kennel for five or six months... you won't notice the smoke smell at all.

[Porsche_monkey]

Fabreze and Listerene both work. And go to an A/C shop to buy the spay they use on the ventilation system. And time.