Moparts
Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell?
Posted By: 74RALLYE
Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/02/10 03:00 AM
I found a truck that I want but it stinks big time from cigarettes. The upholstery is fabric and I’m sure that makes it tougher to clean. Perfumed air fresheners or Fabreeze are not an option as I see that as just another layer of stink. Has anyone found a product or cleaning method that works? I used to smoke and I never had a vehicle smell of smoke this bad. It’s a possible deal killer for me as the wife and kids will be riding in it occasionally. Any ideas?
Posted By: WannaRunner
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/02/10 03:04 AM
It would probably be best to bring it to a detailer, they have the special vacum/steam/cleaning chemicals that can handle cig smoke.
Posted By: Posest
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/02/10 03:42 AM
I agree, professional cleaner and have it shampooed.
Posted By: bss
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/02/10 03:50 AM
A shampoo or steam clean and 48 hours or so of good deionizer or ozone generator treatment will do the job. With just a thorough cleaning, the smell will undoubtedly within a matter of weeks or months.
Posted By: Stanton
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/02/10 03:58 AM
My bet is that you'll never get rid of the stench. Look for another truck.
Posted By: calrobb2000
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/02/10 04:07 AM
hi
my dad had a real nice minivan that had the smoker syndrome and after 2 years he sold it and it still had the nasty odor !
a compleat new interior would prob get rid of the odor $$$$$$$
Posted By: magnum440d100
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/02/10 05:30 AM
a detailer can get rid of it, but if you want it bearable, vacuum everything everywhere. Get warm soapy water, or diluted simple green, and wash everything (door panels, dashboard, pilars etc.)
I did this to a diplomat that was smoked in since day one. vacuuming and washing everything will dilute the smell to a tolerable level. It wont make it disappear completely, but if washed and driven a lot with the windows down, it will get tolerable. Then when the money comes, replace the headliner, door panels (if fabric), seat material etc..
In the diplomat, I replaced the headliner and 1/4 pieces in front of the rear windshield, and just that made it way better. Then it smelled like headliner glue
Posted By: POS Dakota
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/02/10 11:58 AM
Wont ozone work? Works for practically everything else.
Posted By: volaredon
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/02/10 02:37 PM
I'm watching this thread. I have a similar problem (but worse) I bought a Cherokee 2 months ago. Just prior, it had a major detailing done to it. (the 20-something girl I bought it from said that her Dad had just spent $300 on having that done) I can't see a "detail" costing that but... whatever. It definitely smelled strongly like a detail shop and was full of swirl marks and heavy wax, in the door and hood gaps;
I didn't think anything of it; alot of people have their cars cleaned so they "show" better to sell them, right?
until 2 weeks ago; the 1st time my wife let our son drive it to school (HS jr) the cops and dogs were doing one of their once a month searches.
The kid got called down, and my wife got a call asking if anyone in the house smoked (NO) anyone in the house hunts (another no) etc., because I guess the dog they use, can tell 6-7 different contraban things, but it's not like you can "ask" the dog which substance it detects. I mean, the Jeep still faintly smells like detailing supplies; but I can't help but wonder what the PO did with this Jeep, and how long whatever the dog detected will still set off alarms. I'm NOT looking forward to an interior swap!I bought it with the intent of "running the wheels off of it" but if this will be a problem, it may well find itself back for sale again-and soon.
On another note, my Mom's Interpid; she finally quit smoking after (by her account) 55 years worth. I am not happy it took nearly dying and surgery to remove part of a lung to make her quit! but I had that Intrepid cleaned twice, a year ago, and it's almost gone, but I can still tell a faint smell of her old Camel non filters.
It was terrible; film on inside of windows, and I could not even ride in that car, it stunk from cigarette smoke so bad!
Posted By: Challenger 1
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/02/10 02:50 PM
Quote:
My bet is that you'll never get rid of the stench. Look for another truck.
It'll never go away completely.
My gold challenger stunk, I completely stripped it, it still stank. I sand blasted it and painted it, it finally went away with all new interior.
Posted By: 74RALLYE
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/02/10 03:40 PM
Dang, I was hoping I would hear word of a “magic bullet” for the cigarette smell. It’s likely to stink every time the heat or AC is used as well. The owner must have chain smoked with the windows rolled up. It made my eyes water just opening the driver’s door. I’m about 6 months into dropping a 30 year habit and I never had one smell that strong.
I guess that’s one reason the truck is $1800 below the Blue book value. No rust or dents, just stink.
Posted By: 68CoronetRT
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/02/10 03:42 PM
Quote:
I'm watching this thread. I have a similar problem (but worse) I bought a Cherokee 2 months ago. Just prior, it had a major detailing done to it. (the 20-something girl I bought it from said that her Dad had just spent $300 on having that done) I can't see a "detail" costing that but... whatever. It definitely smelled strongly like a detail shop and was full of swirl marks and heavy wax, in the door and hood gaps;
I didn't think anything of it; alot of people have their cars cleaned so they "show" better to sell them, right?
until 2 weeks ago; the 1st time my wife let our son drive it to school (HS jr) the cops and dogs were doing one of their once a month searches.
The kid got called down, and my wife got a call asking if anyone in the house smoked (NO) anyone in the house hunts (another no) etc., because I guess the dog they use, can tell 6-7 different contraban things, but it's not like you can "ask" the dog which substance it detects. I mean, the Jeep still faintly smells like detailing supplies; but I can't help but wonder what the PO did with this Jeep, and how long whatever the dog detected will still set off alarms. I'm NOT looking forward to an interior swap!I bought it with the intent of "running the wheels off of it" but if this will be a problem, it may well find itself back for sale again-and soon.
On another note, my Mom's Interpid; she finally quit smoking after (by her account) 55 years worth. I am not happy it took nearly dying and surgery to remove part of a lung to make her quit! but I had that Intrepid cleaned twice, a year ago, and it's almost gone, but I can still tell a faint smell of her old Camel non filters.
It was terrible; film on inside of windows, and I could not even ride in that car, it stunk from cigarette smoke so bad!
I bought a 68 Chevelle one time from a tote-the-note dealer. Had some trouble with the gauges so I looked up under the dash to see if anything was unhooked. What I found was a bag of weed stashed in the wiring. 
Glad I found it and not a drug dog or cop. Gee officer I didn't even know it was there. Somehow I don't think that excuse would fly.
Posted By: Challenger 1
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/02/10 03:56 PM
Quote:
[ What I found was a bag of weed stashed in the wiring.
Glad I found it and not a drug dog or cop. Gee officer I didn't even know it was there. Somehow I don't think that excuse would fly.
I found the same thing in my 74 back in 1984 and I bought it from a friend who bought it from the original owner, his uncle. My buddie said it wasn't his... 
At least the car didn't smell like cigs.
Posted By: deansrr
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/02/10 04:17 PM
being an owner of a detail shop, good luck. the main problem is the usally the headliner, not really a good way to clean them without destroying them. a complete cleaning and ozone treatment will help (I would charge around $200), but I would be surprised if the smell would be gone. There are some new sprays that might help cover it up and make it liveable. good luck, dean
Posted By: jake71
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/02/10 04:52 PM
We just recently bought and sold a Subaru that had been heavily smoked in by multiple teens and it STUNK! We took an ozone generator from a hot tub and hooked a computer fan to it for air flow.
Day 1. Very noticable difference
Day 2. Almost gone
Day 3. Smelled like a fresh spring rain!
Day 7. Ozonator had been out of car since day 3 and there was a faint smell if smoke and body odor. Started the car and turned on the A/C and whew! The A/C, especially when set to max, will circulate all odors over the evaporator and since it is wet with condensate, it is a stench sponge.
Re-introduce ozonator with car running and A/C set to max for 3 hours. No more stench.
Day22. Still no stench-sold car.
Posted By: 69DodgeCharger
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/02/10 04:56 PM
My bet is that you'll never get rid of the stench. Look for another truck.
Yep....Just like cat urine it is impossible to be completely rid of it.
Posted By: DaytonaTurbo
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/02/10 05:12 PM
My brother bought a 83 rampage that stank bad like smoke. Even after multiple scrubbings with the carpet cleaner, the seats still stank like smoke if you put your nose up to them. We had to junk those seats. Then we peeled the layer of fabric off the headliner and used contact cement to reupholster it with vinyl. Between those two, cleaning the rug, dash and all interior panels, we got the smell 100% gone. I was actually surprised the stink wasn't inside the heater box.
Posted By: LS-300
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/02/10 07:11 PM
Rented a van to drive to the east coast in, and it was suposed to be a nonsmoking rental. WRONG smelled bad of cigarettes. Gave the unit a good vaccuming and used a product called Febreze. My parents who have problems with cigarette smoke had no idea that someone had been smoking in the van. The trip was about 800 miles and I thought they would complain the entire way.
Posted By: Stanton
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/02/10 07:28 PM
Yeah but a "rental" was likely only smoked in once. Hardly a comparison to to a vehicle owned 10 years by a chainsmoker !!!
Posted By: magnum440d100
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/02/10 08:24 PM
Quote:
Quote:
[ What I found was a bag of weed stashed in the wiring.
Glad I found it and not a drug dog or cop. Gee officer I didn't even know it was there. Somehow I don't think that excuse would fly.
I found the same thing in my 74 back in 1984 and I bought it from a friend who bought it from the original owner, his uncle. My buddie said it wasn't his...
At least the car didn't smell like cigs.
not to get off topic, but I was in a pick a part a few years ago with my grampa, and we were looking for a stock radio for a 1982 280zx...we started pulling one out, and a bag of weed fell onto the passenger floorboard...my grampa picked it up, opened it, said it was crappy weed and broke it up on the wind...lets just say I look at my grampa a little bit different now hahahaha
and in one of the posts it mentions a film on the windows when a car is smoked in....this is definately true..my grampa smoked in the 73 lincoln, and the 72 d100 I drive now...there is ALWAYS a greasy film on the inside of the windows, even though they havent been smoked in for 5 years. One trick I use is rubbing alcohol mixed with windex...I spray the window, then rub with my hand...THEN wipe clean with a rag, turn over and buff dry...
they stay clean and clear for about a week in the winter, but in the summer, a couple of days makes them film up again, BUT its getting better and better every year lol..its ALMOST gone...
Posted By: QuickBpBp
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/02/10 11:51 PM
Quote:
I found a truck that I want but it stinks big time from cigarettes. It’s a possible deal killer for me as the wife and kids will be riding in it occasionally. Any ideas?
If you really want it you can teach your family to breathe through their mouths...
Seriously you make think you can get rid of it. Give a good cleaning and it's starts to smell "better". Then comes a damp,warm dreary day when it's so humid inside the vehicle it will rear it's ugly scent again...
Posted By: 69L78Nova
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/03/10 12:14 AM
Give it a good cleaning, put some drier sheets under the seats, and leave the windows cracked for a couple of weeks when you park it. Ive had some nasty smelling cars due to smoke (I used to smoke). After doing that, nobody could even tell
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/03/10 12:36 AM
Quote:
Wont ozone work? Works for practically everything else.
BINGO, WE HAVE A WINNER.
GET yourself a alpine air purifier on ebay.$250.00
it has ozone and ionization, put it in the truck overnight on 3/4 and watch the smell be gone overnight.
it breaks down the odor.
after your done with the unit, bring it in your house and set it on 1/2 and your house will be rid of dander, fungus, all odors, pet smells,
your house will never smell this good. guaranteed and you wont be able to give without it. 
Posted By: BDW
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/03/10 01:01 AM
In this market there are plenty of deals to be had. Look for another truck and leave this "stinker" behind.
Posted By: 52savoy
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/03/10 02:15 AM
dump some beer in the carpet..
or change the filter in the air box
Posted By: CYACOP
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/03/10 05:04 PM
It will never go away completely.
Posted By: 70RR383
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/04/10 01:17 AM
My wife had a ford explorer that smelled like a chimney.I could not stand getting into it.I got rid of it with Fabreeze spray and dryer sheets under the seats.
Posted By: NAS Backyard
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/04/10 02:40 AM
Quote:
My bet is that you'll never get rid of the stench. Look for another truck.
RUN! I bought a 1 yr old truck with cloth interior, took almost a year to get rid of the smell. Still get a wiff of it when I turn on the AC. Never again unless it 1/2 off.
Posted By: NotEnufGarage
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/04/10 03:56 AM
Take up smoking. You won't notice it after a week or two.
Posted By: CKessel
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/04/10 04:11 AM
Also you can use one of the Ozone type air cleaners like the ones from Sharper Image or similar. My wife put one in her sisters car, cranked it on max, and a couple of hours later, no more ahstray smell.
Posted By: DennisH
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/04/10 12:43 PM
Mine went away on its own in the Coronet. In 20 years. Think of it as character.
Posted By: HemiDave
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/04/10 04:18 PM
There is something to the ozone generators. I was at a gun show in Boise, ID and passed a table selling different sized ozone generators. I had just started getting a cold and the guy there told me to stand in front of the unit and breath as deep as I could. I started doing this and the more I did, the better I could breath! In about 3 minutes, I had no more sniffles. It was unreal. Lasted about 6 hours, then they came back...I didn't buy one because I was living hotel-to-hotel and it was kinda big. But it sure did work!!
Dave
Posted By: 74RALLYE
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/23/10 04:39 PM
I bought the truck. It was too good of a deal.
I had very good luck with the cigarette stink.
I took some old white tee shirts and sprayed Greased Lightning onto the folded shirts and scrubbed every inch of the upholstery from the headliner to the carpet. I also used it on all of the hard surfaces as well. On hard plastic panels you could see the tar melting away. I then used a damp towel to wipe everything down. I then cleaned it up with carpet cleaner and 303 protectant. It turned out much better than expected. I still going to keep an eye out for an ozone generator.
When the temperature hits 95F with high humidity I guess I’ll find out if it's really gone.
I want to thank everyone for their suggestions.
Posted By: 65rbdodge
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/23/10 06:01 PM
something my wife used to do after we had a christmas party here was put out a saucer with some white vinegar in it. it seemed to get rid of the smell.
Posted By: 68goldfish
Re: Is it possible to get rid of cigarette smell? - 03/23/10 08:03 PM
Cleaning and Ozone are all you can really do. If you do not replace the seat foam,Headliner and all soft parts of the interior. That truck will REEK after the first hot day. Good luck!