Removing cigarette smoke smell?

[xabhax]

Anyone have any tricks with chemicals or any products, experience using ozone generators? previous owner was a smoker and in the winter time smell can get pretty bad when the heat is on.

 

[StorableComa]

Is it from the vents? Have you swapped the cabin air filter already? If so, you could try some Ozium/ZEP or other like product that you spray directly into the intake while the car is running with the air on recirculate. Dealers also have a cleaning service that I believe removes any musty/moldy smells too with a anti-bacterial/fungal stuff.

I picked up one of the Blue care charcoal cabin filters to go in next oil change, might be worth a look. Might also be able to find it cheaper, believe I got mine from USP.

https://store.ngpracing.com/hengst-...-arteon-audi-8v-a3-s3-rs3-8s-tt-tts-ttrs.html

 

[jimlloyd40]

Anyone have any tricks with chemicals or any products, experience using ozone generators? previous owner was a smoker and in the winter time smell can get pretty bad when the heat is on.

This Mcguiars product definitely does.


https://www.meguiarsdirect.com/car-care/interior/air-fresheners.html

 

[xabhax]

Is it from the vents? Have you swapped the cabin air filter already? If so, you could try some Ozium/ZEP or other like product that you spray directly into the intake while the car is running with the air on recirculate. Dealers also have a cleaning service that I believe removes any musty/moldy smells too with a anti-bacterial/fungal stuff.

I picked up one of the Blue care charcoal cabin filters to go in next oil change, might be worth a look. Might also be able to find it cheaper, believe I got mine from USP.

https://store.ngpracing.com/hengst-...-arteon-audi-8v-a3-s3-rs3-8s-tt-tts-ttrs.html

Ya from the vents. I've changed the cabin filter. I'll give ozium/zep a try.

 

[jimlloyd40]

Ya from the vents. I've changed the cabin filter. I'll give ozium/zep a try.

Try the Mcguiars product right above your post. Works far better and longer than ozium and changing the filter. The cigarette smoke gets imbedded into every soft service, carpet etc and the Mcguiars is the only thing I found that is effective and lasts at least a month as opposed to a few days for a filter change and ozium spray.

 

[StorableComa]

This Mcguiars product definitely does.


https://www.meguiarsdirect.com/car-care/interior/air-fresheners.html

Meguiars makes pretty good products, Turtle Wax also has one that might be worth a try too.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MU2O8DE?tag=ultimaterides-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1

 

[StorableComa]

Ozium also has a car bomb style I believe, I've used their cabin air intake spray for musty smells with success and their gel under seat kits for smoke previously. The Meguiars or Turtle wax seem like a good try too, as they'll hit all surfaces and are are easier to use than ZEP. ZEP can't be sprayed on all surfaces.

https://www.amazon.com/Ozium-Single-Shot-Refresh-Eliminator-Original/dp/B092XH1YV1?th=1

 

[Finglonga]

A good strong Ozone generator will work, but you will need the heater on recirc' to get into all the vents, the matrix and hoses. A cheap, leave on all the time will not do it.

As above an Aircon Bomb will do it but you may find the smell returns after a bit.

 

[Acadia18]

I've used those "car bomb" type fresheners like the Meguiars and Turtle Wax ones linked above. In my experience, they do jack shit to actually eliminate an odor, but a good job to just temporarily cover up the smell. When the effect wears off in 2 - 4 weeks, the smell will be back.


The only ones I've found effective at actually removing an odor, are the chlorine based ones. I used the Star Brite NosGuard ones before with good success. Keep in mind though, these won't make your car smell good, it's going to smell like a pool for a couple of days. It is chlorine based after all. So when that smell fades a little, I'd follow up with your air freshener scent of choice

 

[helushune]

I've used R86 odor eliminator to varying degrees of success. It's a salt so it can be a PITA to vacuum up but it's worked well.

 

[daconchslop]

Ozone generator

+1

 

[Acadia18]

A good strong Ozone generator will work, but you will need the heater on recirc' to get into all the vents, the matrix and hoses. A cheap, leave on all the time will not do it.

As above an Aircon Bomb will do it but you may find the smell returns after a bit.

+1

While ozone generators are absolutely effective, aren't they dangerous since they can wreck havoc on any rubber seals?

 

[daconchslop]

I’ve seen them being used on boat and airplanes, so they can’t be too bad for short term usage.

 

[McBrian]

Very long pipe cleaners and rubbing alcohol, industrial carpet shampooer and newspaper. It’ll never really be gone though… maybe take up smoking? J/k

 

[jimlloyd40]

I've used those "car bomb" type fresheners like the Meguiars and Turtle Wax ones linked above. In my experience, they do jack shit to actually eliminate an odor, but a good job to just temporarily cover up the smell. When the effect wears off in 2 - 4 weeks, the smell will be back.


The only ones I've found effective at actually removing an odor, are the chlorine based ones. I used the Star Brite NosGuard ones before with good success. Keep in mind though, these won't make your car smell good, it's going to smell like a pool for a couple of days. It is chlorine based after all. So when that smell fades a little, I'd follow up with your air freshener scent of choice

Does the odor come back or are you doing the same thing that contributed to the odor originally?