The previous owner of my 90 GT was a smoker. I can't freakin' get rid of the smell! Over the past couple months I've tried some "febreeze" type stuff from Renuzit but that hasn't worked. I've tried leaving the inside of the car all open for a while but that hasn't helped either. Recommendations please??
Getting rid of interior smell
- Thread starter MO351
- Start date
krash kendall
Active Member
For starters, get some windex and use newspaper to clean all the tar residue off the windows. You won't believe how hard it is to get all of the stuff off or how clear you will actually be able to see. It might also get rid of SOME of the smell.
Good luck with it.
Good luck with it.
5.0StangRacer
New Member
BrutalStang
New Member
im trying to find it now, but when i bought a used sho for my wife i had the same problem. and the solution was this thing i picked up at pep boys. what you do is close the car up entirely then set this thing off, it fills the car with a cloud. you wait for like 45mins then open it all up. it worked great. i just cant seem to find it anywhere online.
krash kendall
Active Member
I think auto detailers use an enzyme based cleanser that "eats" the odour causing molecules. I found some stuff for getting rid of the smell of cat piss that was enzyme based, but it had its own smell that brought back the memory of the cat piss - kind of a double edged sword there. Sort of like when you smell bathroom deodourizer, you can't help but think of why it was sprayed in the first place.
kirbyalaska
Founding Member
Find a local fire restoration company and see if they have an Ozone machine they would run in it for a couple hours. Might cost you 30 bucks or so, but it will remove the smell. If you don't have a fire restoration place, try a dry cleaner that might handle smoke damaged clothing. They'll have the machine. You should clean it real good first and maybe even shampoo the carpets. good luck
Cobain03
Active Member
i went to walmart and found some strawberry spray for the incisde of cars. i sprayed it REALLY good, closed the windows and left it. i kept doing it for a little bit and now its gone for the most part.
2nd Mustang
Founding Member
The ozone trick is probably the best. I was going to be a distributor of the first machines when I used to wholesale. I don't know if they're legal anymore, due to the pollution things.
5.0StangRacer
New Member
The vinegar smell will disapate after neutralizing the odor. This is similar to putting baking soda inside you refridgerator to remove food odors.
5.0StangRacer
New Member
dsmGST my car sat outside for 5 days last week with the windows down and it didnt help at all lol, I'm going to try the vinegar tomorrow, thanks galaxie!
ok here is the best way to get rid of 90% of the smell.
1. replace the headliner if you do it yourself it should run 50 bucks or so, any upholstery shop can provide the material
2. spray an ozone air freshener in the ac and heater vents
3. shampoo carpet and upholstery real well
4. clean the windows with vinegar and water solution (about 50/50)
5. place a box of baking soda in the rear floorboard and a dryer sheet under each front sheet
6. for a last ditch effort put a bar of irish spring in a plastic container and leave it in the car for a week or two. you can cut holes in the lid of the container if you are worried about it turning over and having the soap melt in the floor
more than likely replacing the headliner and shampooing the carpet and seats will clear up most of the smell. i'd definitely replace the headliner though since that's probably about 75% of where the smell is coming from. take it from a smoker and ex- detail shop owner.
1. replace the headliner if you do it yourself it should run 50 bucks or so, any upholstery shop can provide the material
2. spray an ozone air freshener in the ac and heater vents
3. shampoo carpet and upholstery real well
4. clean the windows with vinegar and water solution (about 50/50)
5. place a box of baking soda in the rear floorboard and a dryer sheet under each front sheet
6. for a last ditch effort put a bar of irish spring in a plastic container and leave it in the car for a week or two. you can cut holes in the lid of the container if you are worried about it turning over and having the soap melt in the floor
more than likely replacing the headliner and shampooing the carpet and seats will clear up most of the smell. i'd definitely replace the headliner though since that's probably about 75% of where the smell is coming from. take it from a smoker and ex- detail shop owner.
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