Smoker's Car Booked

T0RCH3D

T0RCH3D

New member
Joined
May 8, 2012
Messages
218
Reaction score
0
I have a job coming up coming up where I will be doing an interior of a heavy smoker's car. To this time, I have not had the chance to do a smoker car. Not that I wanted to really, but I accepted the challenge. I had friend refer me someone who wanted to have the interior of their Corolla done. They want the smoke smell gone so they can give the car to their daughter.

I will be doing the job the following weekend and want to get ready for it. Any tips on a step by step process or pointers that anyone has whether it be a product or technique that is effective. I am worried I won't be able to completely get rid of the smell, as that is the main idea here. I also do not have an ozone generator, which is working against me as well.

Thanks in advance AGO :xyxthumbs:

-Nick
 
This is what I used with great results for smoke smell.
1Z einszett Klima-Cleaner - A/C Odor + Bacteria Cleaner
 
The guy who makes AMMO products (forgot his name) has a GREAT youtube video on this!
 
I think there was a thread on here somewhere where someone used a Dakota bomb to remove smoke odor.
 
As a smoker myself, I can tell you, you won't completely eliminate the odor. Period. The smoke and nicotine have penetrated and seeped into every surface, sub-surface, and nook and cranny inside the vehicle and attempting to rid the vehicle of it will only frustrate you and leave you feeling like you failed if that's your mission. Don't set yourself up for failure. Knowing this and accepting it going in will make the entire project less stressful on you.
Now, having said that, there are some things you can do and some specific areas you can focus on that will greatly reduce the odor by leaps and bounds. As one person noted above, Larry from AMMO addresses this subject in great detail in one of his vids. The area immediately surrounding the smoker will have the largest concentration of odor and bacteria. The headliner, shoulder strap, seat (of course), door panel, ducts, etc. all need to be addressed. Any attempt to mask the smell will do nothing more than that - mask it. And not for very long, either. Explain to your customer that cigarette odor and cat urine go hand-in-hand when it comes to attempting to completely eliminate them. Tell him/her you'll do your best using the best products and techniques available but that you can not and will not make any promises. Then, when you have greatly reduced the odor, they and you will be satisfied that you indeed do the best job possible.
Just my $.02
 
Correct. Done right anything is possible. But what does that involve? Tearing apart every interior piece and cleaning and wiping every inch? My girlfriend has the nose that'll sniff out the smallest bit of smoke odor. I don't think conventional methods of cleaning will remove ALL smoke odor.
 
I got a truck that was smoked in heavily with the ashtry left full and ashes everywhere. I started out by doing a great wipe down removing as many of the vents as possible to get as much for the dirt and dust out of the crack and crevices.

Next, I took some APC and cleaned the snot out of anything plastic/glass (you will need to clean the glass on the drivers side multiple times). You will think the surface is clean but let the cleaner sit on it for a few seconds and it will turn yellowish from the nicotine.

After that I removed the seats from the vehicle and vaccumed the carpet and headliner two times. Once that was done I used a carpet cleaner with a pretty heavy amount of carpet cleaner solution and some nice HOT water. Sprayed it on and let it sit for a couple minutes. When I did that, you dont want to know the color of the water as it was pulled out. I carpet cleaned it two times focusing on the headliner above the driver and the carpet in the area surrounding the driver.

I then used some leather cleaner on the seats and steamed the seats. Dont forget the seat belts too. I used the carpet cleaner on those and was AMAZED at how gross they were.

I reinstalled the seats and the car was 1000% better but there was still a hint of smoke smell (I doubt it will ever be completely gone). I am waiting from a Dakota Non-Smoke canister to arrive to try that out but honestly at this point it is at least faint enough that it isnt bad.

I dont think you can ever get rid of it from a heavy smokers car....it is deep in the pads, in the plastic, in the leather/foam etc.

GL and let us know how it goes!
 
autovaccine will remove the smoke smell....cheap awesome product.

biocides is another version of it.
 
Make sure you change the cabin filter, normally on the right side of the car in or under the glove compartment.
I'm sure the filter is loaded with odor, you can clean it all you want but if you don't change it soon as you turn on the heat or a/c the odor will be present.

I use a product called Purge which is sold by Atco.
It doesn't just hide the odor it removes it.
 
I just did a Hyundai not too long ago with the same deal. I used a product called Big D odor fogger. Bought a case for about $36. I cleaned and scrubbed the interior everything got APC'ed. Cleaned the windows, ran the car on recirc with the fogger running. Let sit for an hour and all gone. Did windows and wipe down again. No complaints, and that was 2 months ago.
 
DrivePur is the only thing I've ever used that completely eliminates smoke odor.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using AG Online
 
Odo-ban from Sams Club. Spray everything heavily. Ventilate with fans till dry.

When I was a teenager I worked for a odor removal company that removed odors from burnt houses and cars which head dead bodies in them. Odo is a similar product to what they used. We had fogging machines that would put a heavy fog of the stuff in the air and it would soak into every surface in the house or car and then once it's set for a while we used large fans to ventilate and remove the fog and odors.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. I do not have a steamer or ozone treatment. But I have done more research and gather this...

"Clean and shampoo the best you can, Sprinkle baking soda all over fabric/carpet - let sit overnight and vacuum it up next day. Next clean plastic and upholstery with mixture of white vinegar and ammonia diluted with water. Reduces the smell by about half. Now get yourself some 'chlorine dioxide gas" called Biocide Auto Shocker. No more smell!"

M questions are is this safe? And is this method effective? What is chlorine dioxide gas and where would I find this?
 
Also anyone have luck with CarPro So2Pure or does this just mask the smell, not eliminate?
 
T0RCH3D said:
Also anyone have luck with CarPro So2Pure or does this just mask the smell, not eliminate?
Click to expand...

Look at the 1z product I showed you its a type of bomb. You run the air conditioner for 5 min and it goes through everything and its water base.$15
 
Pureshine said:
Look at the 1z product I showed you its a type of bomb. You run the air conditioner for 5 min and it goes through everything and its water base.$15
Click to expand...

Sounds like an interesting product. I'll have to check this one out too.
 
By the way. I own a plumbing business. I'll have to try it out in my service van. If it handles that it's a keeper ;)
 
Pureshine said:
Look at the 1z product I showed you its a type of bomb. You run the air conditioner for 5 min and it goes through everything and its water base.$15
Click to expand...

This seems it will only take car of the AC system, which is good but I am sure you need to apply other odor removers on the interior surfaces? This is not a cure all product but another step. Seems quite expensive as well just for one use?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top