How can I make a car smell like new?

Good call on the cabin filters! Just did mine last month. This is a easy DIY. Another trick is to put fabric softner sheets under the seats. I personally do not use a air freshner. The leather cleaner/conditioner I use is enough. And I am a non smoker, and the only driver of the vehicle.
 
OP.

Be very careful attempting to re-attain that new car smell.
Also be careful attempting to introduce a scent intended to last over time.
More time than not, both attempts will lead to your interior smelling worse.
That worse smell can linger and create double trouble for you.

If you want to remove odors, and create a fresh smell in the interior, that starts with a proper cleaning.
You cannot get enough purity when cleaning interiors.

Suggestions:
- A complete steam clean of all interior surfaces is in order.
When steam cleaning the vents, remove the cabin filter.

- Replace cabin filter as others have mentioned.

- For cleaning products, choose products that have minimal scents, to no scent at all.

- Should you dilute products for cleaning purposes, only use distilled water.
Hard water minerals linger, and can create that YMCA smell in your car.

- Make sure to clean down in the window jams and door jams as deep as you can reach.
Dirt, leaves, and moisture can get trapped and produce faint odors.

- Use some type of finisher/conditioner/protectant on all surfaces, carpet and upholstery.
The less scent the better.

- Let your car air out.
Have a garage, roll down your windows at night to let your car air out.
Crack the windows when parking for long hours on hot days.

- Odor Bomb.
These are good, just make sure to use them as a last step, not the first step, when addressing any odors of the interior compartment.
 
pro 4x said:
Meguiars Air Re-Fresher Odor Eliminator
Click to expand...

Agree!

Along with being sure the 'inside' is clean and cabin filter (if there is one) is new(ish), this stuff is great.

It is a bit overwhelming in the beginning, but after a couple of days it's just there. In my experience, the 'odor' last a better part of a year if not a bit longer.

BTW...I'm referring to "New Car Scent."

Bill
 
Chemical guys New Car Scent is spot on if you're looking for that new car smell. Spray it in the vehicle's carpet and you're good to go. Only downside is it only lasts about 1.5 weeks.

I've tried the Meguairs air purifier (new car scent) but it left some sort of weird smell in my car whenever I would turn the ac on. Kind of like a mildew or fungal odor. I since changed the cabin air filter and the odor is gone. Now I just stick to the chemical guys new car scent freshener

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
 
Personally use CG new car smell as well

It's really strong at first so I make sure to spray it 10-15 min before I get in the car and my customers has been very happy.
 
Definitely check your cabin filter. My wife complained one time that the van had a "funny smell" and I checked it but dismissed it as perhaps funk introduced by her or the kids as well, it's a minivan and that's what kids and moms do to them occassionally. Think old food under a seat or something. I cleaned the car and moved on. Later when I changed the oil I checked the cabin filter and here's what I found.

Anyway, two things. Does your car have leather interior? If so, Griot's Garage Leather Care Spray has by far the most pleasing and accurate new car/leather smell around. Works great with ZERO change to the appearance of your leather. It lasts too. Not overpowering but very pleasing. I was just telling someone last night that even my last sedan after 5 years smelled like day one and my daughter will never let us forget how nice it always smelled.

Another product that is VERY powerful and works amazingly well is Ozium Air Sanitizer. I have used this in the van and my cars when someone mistakenly had left food in it overnight. Turn the car on, let the fan run in recirculate mode on low and give it a spray. Let it go for a few minutes, turn it off and leave it sit. It will be clear with ease.
 
I use Meg's #40 on the interior plastics & vinyl, to me it smells like new leather
 
I don't even try to fight keeping the new car smell as much as I like it.

I've found the auto air fresheners from a particular candle company work really well. I'll also leave the sun roof and some of the windows open somewhat when pulling into the garage at night in the warmer months.
 
Chemical Guys natural shine cream on plastic surfaces and Ammo leather mouse on leather surfaces is my combination for new car smell. I highly recommend that combo.
 
A fellow detailer was on the same difficult quest as you and he found the solution was to mimic the plastic's out-gassing by finding just the right piece of plastic and putting it under his seat. After a long search of sniffing plastics from many different places, he found a rubber/plastic door mat from one of the nationwide office super stores.
 
expdetailing said:
A fellow detailer was on the same difficult quest as you and he found the solution was to mimic the plastic's out-gassing by finding just the right piece of plastic and putting it under his seat. After a long search of sniffing plastics from many different places, he found a rubber/plastic door mat from one of the nationwide office super stores.
Click to expand...

Now, THAT is interesting!

Actually makes sense. Whoda thunk it?

Bill
 
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