Help me get the stink out…Detailing the interior

[Zdom]

I bought my Z slightly used (5K miles on it) and the previous owner must have been a smoker because there is a hint of stale cigarette smoke smell. Though there are no visible signs that anyone smoked in the vehicle and there isn’t an ash tray, anyone that gets in makes a comment after being in it for a while since they know I'm not a smoker.

I have tired on 3 occasions to cover every carpet/cloth surface with a good coverage of Lysol and it masks it for a week or so, but then comes back. Is there another product or process anyone would suggest using that would help reduce, eliminate or mask for a longer period of time?

I'm not one to use or hang an air fresheners in my vehicles, but I think I might resort to that option to take a better smell over a stale smell, if nothing else works. Any one have good luck with an air freshener?

[bullitt5897]

let me guess you got a base?

if you do have them shampoo the seats and floor mats and that "should" take care of the smell.

[Zdom]

not sure what you mean about the base, but I appreciate the advise.

[bullitt5897]

the base model has cloth seats and does not have the touring leather/alcantara seats which (cannot be shampoo'd).

I hope that helps clarify...

[jookiyaya]

try febreeze. takes any smell out. they have it in putty form now at pep boys believe it or not.

[Zdom]

My Z is the Touring model w/the sport package and of course the leather seats. Thats why I got it "used" for the about the same price as a new base model. Of course I would have had cloth seats in a new base model Z but a new car smell

I tried fabreze at first, but again masked it for a couple days so I switched to Lysol because they sound more like they "remove" odors vs mask them but not much different. I'm thinking there is a product like "Service Master" must use to get smoke smell out of fire damaged homes. I'm not sure if there are "professional" detailing products that work better than the off the shelf automotive ones.

[bullitt5897]

Yeah so you need to get some Alcantera cleaner, leather cleaner, and shampoo your carpets/mats.

[kannibul]

Another tip...leave the windows down - preferrably on a hot / sunny day, with a nice breeze...have the doors open (turn off the interior light), and get as much air through it as you can

It should help...along with what others said.

[dad]

Sprinkle,Arm&Hammer Baking soda, on the seats and floor. But the bad part is vacuuming it up, takes a long time, to do a through job. You have to lay the seats back to get that area!

Be careful Lysol and Fabreeze can leaves a sticky residue!

[kenchan]

one of these maybe?

Odor Exterminator - Griot's Garage

[OMGWTFBBQ]

It works in the fridge, so would a box of baking soda help eliminate the odor? It's worth a shot haha.

[PapoZalsa]

Try 2 Bloosom pill from Advance Auto. Open the plastic and leave them overnight, I'm sure it going to kill the smell.

[Rickey89]

is the smell gone?

[fuct]

the shampooing and whatnot will help, but prob not get rid of the entire smell. time will clear it out also.

ya got it cheaper yes, but smelly.

[cdawg410]

Arm and hammer is the way to go. sprinkle it on everything let it sit and then vaccum. Also don't forget the headliner, a warm damp (not wet) cloth over the headliner and door panels (it won't hurt the alcantra)... smoke rises! Run your heater for as long as you can stand also, and take the cloth over your vents.

I smoked in all of my cars prior to the Z, my mom doesn't know I smoke and she never once knew that I did by getting in my car and I didn't use any cover ups.. Febreeze is useless, so is lysol, they just cover, you gotta get it out..... Yes, I'm almost 30 and still scared of my mom... shut up!