Getting rid of interior smell

MO351

Founding Member

Jan 14, 2002

136

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16

MO USA

Jul 5, 2005

#1

• Jul 5, 2005

• #1

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??

 

krash kendall

Active Member

Nov 19, 2004

1,258

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36

Aldergrove, B.C. Canada

Jul 5, 2005

#2

• Jul 5, 2005

• #2

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.

 

5.0StangRacer

New Member

Sep 16, 2003

227

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0

Damascus, Maryland

Jul 5, 2005

#3

• Jul 5, 2005

• #3

im having the same problems so any other reccomendations?

 

jesset

New Member

Apr 30, 2005

17

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0

Jul 5, 2005

#4

• Jul 5, 2005

• #4

May be a little drastic but replace your interior

It will definately get rid of the smell but might cost you a little bit more than you want.

 

BrutalStang

New Member

Aug 2, 2004

261

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0

PA

Jul 5, 2005

#5

• Jul 5, 2005

• #5

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

Nov 19, 2004

1,258

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36

Aldergrove, B.C. Canada

Jul 5, 2005

#6

• Jul 5, 2005

• #6

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

Oct 30, 2002

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0

SUX

Jul 5, 2005

#7

• Jul 5, 2005

• #7

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

Aug 27, 2003

996

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36

Lexington, Ky

Jul 5, 2005

#8

• Jul 5, 2005

• #8

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

Feb 24, 2002

2,488

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46

Southern California

Jul 5, 2005

#9

• Jul 5, 2005

• #9

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.

 

G

galaxie

New Member

Sep 8, 2004

12

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0

Chicago suburbs

Jul 6, 2005

#10

• Jul 6, 2005

• #10

Something simple! Pour some vinegar into a pan or pot and let it stand inside the car for a day or two. I have been successful with this.

 

5.0StangRacer

New Member

Sep 16, 2003

227

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0

Damascus, Maryland

Jul 6, 2005

#11

• Jul 6, 2005

• #11

this doesnt make the car end up smelling like vinegar i hope lol

 

D

dsmGST91

New Member

Jun 13, 2005

48

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0

Latham NY

Jul 6, 2005

#12

• Jul 6, 2005

• #12

Really so even letting it sit outside for a day or two(assuming there is no rain) with the windows open wont lessen the smell?

 

G

galaxie

New Member

Sep 8, 2004

12

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Chicago suburbs

Jul 7, 2005

#13

• Jul 7, 2005

• #13

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

Sep 16, 2003

227

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0

Damascus, Maryland

Jul 7, 2005

#14

• Jul 7, 2005

• #14

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!

 

MO351

Founding Member

Jan 14, 2002

136

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16

MO USA

Jul 7, 2005

#15

• Jul 7, 2005

• #15

krash kendall said:

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.

Click to expand...

Actually just had the windows re-tinted about a month ago. They were nasty purple and bubbling. Anyways, that didn't help for anything. I've heard charcoal will absorb odors, too, but I'm not sure what type to get.

 

B

bnickel

Founding Member

Aug 21, 2002

5,640

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77

lubbock, texas

Jul 7, 2005

#16

• Jul 7, 2005

• #16

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.