Smoker's car

[sochocki]

Anybody have any suggestions about how to get cigarette smoke odor out of the interior (leather) of a 94 SSEi. Just bought this car, and it looks very clean inside and out. I'm afraid to do too much to the headliner, which probably has the most odor in it since smoke rises! Other than a good overall cleaning, any special tips that anyone has had luck with in regard to getting rid of this odor? Thanks much!

[crash93ssei]

Smoke is a difficult one to tackle since it really gets into the fibers. A good all purpose cleaner (they make them specifically for cars, but many others will work) on the glass and all hard surfaces will remove it there. For the headliner, wipe with a dry microfiber and then vacuum thoroughly with a shop vac, then wipe down with a microfiber dampened with the APC and vacuum again. LAs Totally Awesome from the dollar store is a good product, dilute it down and you're good to go. Power wash the floor mats and use Folex on the carpet with hot water and a shop vac to rid the carpet of the smell.

[sochocki]

Thanks crash93ssei...great advice. I'm afraid of being too aggressive on the headliner, especially with a vacuum, because they are just cloth glued to a backing, correct? Don't want to pull it down! Maybe I'll experiment on my old Monte Carlo that will be up for sale soon. Thank you again!

[Arrowhead]

This stuff is pretty good. The headliner can be recovered by an upholstery shop for two to three hundred dollars and might be the only really effective way to get rid of the stink.



http://smile.amazon.com/Eliminator-Offi ... V4QHSJXBTG

[sochocki]

Thanks Arrowhead! I need all the suggestions I can get. Will check it out!!

[crash93ssei]

As far as damaging the headliner goes, you can use one of those brush attachments for your vacuum 5 help cut down some of the suction.

[sochocki]

Thanks crash93ssei . . . if I don't have that attachment, I will get one!

[haro1225]

Tuff stuff works pretty good too.

[sochocki]

Thanks haro1225!!

[1oldman]

Thanks haro1225!!

Read this:

http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... ner#p22771

- BC

[sochocki]

Thanks 1oldman . . . boy, I sure hope I don't have to replace my headliner. It looks really good, but I realize that a lot of the smoke odor has to be in it. I replaced the headliner in a 1930 Model A Ford when I restored it (tacks into wooden bows) and it came out great, but I don't think I could tackle the one on the Bonne! Kudos to the member who did his! Now I know why upholstery shops have to charge a lot of jack. Thanks again for the link, it is very informative to say the least.

[00Beast]

A magic eraser on the seats, using some of the cleaner of your choice will really help.

[sochocki]

Thanks 00Beast…I've heard magic eraser is good for a lot of detailing things! I just removed the ash tray, cleaned the heck out of it, and found more ashes below in the compartment where it sits, so it got vacuumed and washed out. The whole inside smells better just because of that little bit of extra cleaning! Keep those great tips coming!!!

[ga93sle]

When I worked at the detail shop we used ozone to kill odors in vehicles. We had a machine that we used to pump the ozone into the car, otherwise I know they make "ozone bombs" that fill the car, though I'm not sure where exactly to get them. Could be a costly venture, but very effective.

[sochocki]

ga93sle . . . I've heard about those, thanks much!

Am trying some of the less radical cures first, but may have to resort to something like this!

[crash93ssei]

I thought of suggesting ozone, but that is something not many people have access to