Getting rid of smokers stank

[Capt'n Morgan]

My used 05 was a smokers truck and I love everything, but I hate the smell.

I had it shampooed top to bottom and ozoned. But the smell is still evident. I've got 3 air fresheners in their and coffee grounds under the seat. Next is to febreeze the crap out of it.

I would get the cabin filter changed, since the smell really comes back when the heat or air is on, however our Ex's don't have one.

Any other suggestions? Has anyone been able to fix their stinky Ex?

 

[section525]

Check this out:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=185201

 

[99ex22]

On a hot day put two bowls of vinigar in there for 3 or 4 hours....It will take care of it. trust me.

 

[bisjoe]

I have two suggestions. First, since smoke rises, shampoo the headliner. Much of the smell is probably in it.

Second, since they probably smoked with the heater/AC on, the ducts need to be cleaned. Unless you are up to taking them out, I'd suggest spraying Fabreze or similar product into the cowl intake area with the fan on high so that it runs through the ducts for a while.

 

[99ex22]

I wouldnt shampoo the headliner...you run the risk of the fabric coming off that cardboard stuff if it gets wet. it's only glued on there.

 

[phlawford]

I have used propriety aerosol products, don't remember the name off hand but they are on the shelves in stores like "Wallyworld"

I started by spraying into all the airvents on the dash, and into the air intake cowl. I then gave the headliner, seats and all upholstery a good dosing.

Finished off, by taping down the nozzle on a can and setting it inside then closing the doors and leaving it to sit overnight.

Best to wash all plastic surfaces and interior glass with a very mild "color safe" bleach and water. !!! Test on a bit of trim !! first.
Wash all interior metal surfaces and apply a good coat of polish.

Cleanout door pockets and the like.

Remove ashtrays and clean inside and in aperture.

Shampoo all carpets and seats. I use domestic carpet/upholstery cleaner, for the spring and fall major cleaning sessions. I give the headliner a gentle wipe over. Don't wet it with shampoo. The domestic cleaners are cheaper than brands in the automotive aisles.

Once the interior is "clean" do repeated sprays with the smoke removal product before putting the vehicles to bed for the night.

On my first '91 EX, the front seats were quite dirty so I took the seats out, took the covers off
and put them in the washer. They came up great.

I have never found Febreze to be that good and those hangy dangly things don't clean they just mask.

If all of this fails.. Take up smoking ...:

 

[kevinspann]

This may work for the HVAC portion of it

http://www.autobarn.net/lubegard-heater-core-foam-cleaner.html

 

[donlightbody]

the walmart stuff that works great is Ozium. white can with powder blue writing. in automotive with the air freshners. Doesn't cover smells, removes em. worked in my 88 BII where i had the same prob

 

[Capt'n Morgan]

This may work for the HVAC portion of it

http://www.autobarn.net/lubegard-heater-core-foam-cleaner.html

Hmm... that's interesting. Where would I spray that I wonder?

the walmart stuff that works great is Ozium.

IF a professional ozone generator didn't work, I don't think this can will. Again, the smell was removed from the interior, but it came back from the heating system.

I have two suggestions. First, since smoke rises, shampoo the headliner. Much of the smell is probably in it.

Done!

Second, since they probably smoked with the heater/AC on, the ducts need to be cleaned. Unless you are up to taking them out, I'd suggest spraying Fabreze or similar product into the cowl intake area with the fan on high so that it runs through the ducts for a while.

Did that too. Fabreeze is just a mask though, it doesn't eliminate the oder.

I like the suggestion of taking up smoking the best!

 

[fordnut71]

spray 9 is great at breaking up stains caused by smoking. it removes that waxy build up causing the smell.
a carbon an baking soda mix will help too.its what they use in air purfiers.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Other post was right-

Stop at an apartment complex and get the name of whatever the heck the bomb is that they use to clear smoke out of araptments. I can't remember what it was. I even bought a can from my old complex to do an old car I had- works perfectly! If they don't have it, they can tell you where to get it.

 

[Capt'n Morgan]

Other post was right-

Stop at an apartment complex and get the name of whatever the heck the bomb is that they use to clear smoke out of araptments. I can't remember what it was. I even bought a can from my old complex to do an old car I had- works perfectly! If they don't have it, they can tell you where to get it.

Again, all great tips, but if it's not cleaned out of the HVAC system, it's just going to come back.

 

[fordnut71]

you can get the small packages of carbon an baking soda they use in fridges an place them in the hvac system. remove the fan an put 1 in there an by the blend door. probley take a few times but should work.

 

[SuRrEaLNJ]

when i worked for lexus, complaints about odors were common, we used to stock "Frigi-Fresh"a nd then had a similar product from another company
turn the fan on high and spray it into the cowl. the stuff will get sucked through all the vents and ducts, cycle through the modes and repear untill the whole cans through, just make sure you have the recirculation door to outside ir

used to do it with the windows closed and itd freshen the interior too

 

[mlowney]

captn did you get the odor problem fixed. if not pm me i may be able help you take care of it.

 

[Capt'n Morgan]

It's pretty much gone. I don't notice it at all any more. Granted I haven't had to run the heat so much anymore, as it's getting milder. I guess we'll see when A/C season comes.

I don't think there was anything in particular that did it, just a matter of time, with no reoccurring source.

 

[mlowney]

The only other thing to do if you have not done it yet is to clean out the ducts the best that you can and then ozone for 3 hrs and for the last 30 mins run the heat for 15 mins and then the a/c for 15 mins and the thermal fog it and leave it closed up for a day and then clear out then leftover smoke. If that does not work nothing will short of ripping out the interior. Good luck

 

[Capt'n Morgan]

Lol, not worried about that. Like I said, it's been ozoned, so the interior was good. It was just being re-introduced from the HVAC.

 

[Donner]

Solution

Relax, sit outside, and have a cigar :smoke: Ya can't get rid of the smell, as you know. The smell will dissipate eventually... Good luck!

 

[<3MyXploder]

If someone ever smoked in my limo I would use a product called ozone. I usually used the original, but it seemed to work. I would use a ton of it just to make me feel better right after the job was over and then the car would stay closed up and that seemed to do the trick. I like the ideas of getting something into the ducts that would probably help too. But, for starters, saturate everything even under the seats with the air freshener.