TMC is an independent, primarily volunteer organization that relies on ad revenue to cover its operating costs. Please consider whitelisting TMC on your ad blocker and becoming a Supporting Member. For more info: Support TMC
  1. TMC is currently READ ONLY.
    Click here for more info.

Getting rid of cigarette smoke

Discussion in 'Model S: Interior & Exterior' started by Mr X, Nov 14, 2018.

  1. Mr X

    Mr X Future Martian

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2013
    Messages:
    2,068
    Location:
    Simi Valley, CA
    So I'm looking at a used Model S and the interior reeks of cigarette smoke


    The car is in such great condition inside and out, and fully loaded, but that smell is holding me back


    I google'd it and found some ways... but don't know for sure if they will work.


    Based on your guy's knowledge, would there be any way to truly get rid of that smell?
     
  2. David99

    David99 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2014
    Messages:
    4,850
    Location:
    Brea, Orange County
    That's a hard one. Carpets and seats can easily be shampooed or steamed. The head liners are harder to clean and the smoke smell is definitely in those as well. I haven't found a simple way to clean those. Ask a good detailer. They might have the best advice as they are doing this kind of work all the time.
     
    • Like x 1
  3. SabrToothSqrl

    SabrToothSqrl Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2014
    Messages:
    3,613
    Location:
    PA
    • Like x 2
  4. Rockster

    Rockster Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2013
    Messages:
    3,007
    Location:
    McKinney, TX
    I bought a car that had been smoked in and used a variety of commercial cleaning products to help remove the smell. It helped, but ultimately the only thing that took care of it was time. A few months later the car was fine. I probably could have sped things up by buying a nice HEPA air purifier and putting it in the sealed car to run full blast every night while the car was in the garage.
     
    • Like x 1
  5. Mr X

    Mr X Future Martian

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2013
    Messages:
    2,068
    Location:
    Simi Valley, CA
    I've never smoked in my life and hate the smell of smoke. But the condition of it is almost immaculate and it's the combo I'm looking for


    This is how it looks

    [​IMG]



    I'll talk to a local detailer and see what they say


    Replacing the cabin air filter may help too?
     
    • Like x 1
    • Love x 1
  6. selfbp

    selfbp Member

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2017
    Messages:
    337
    Location:
    East, TN
    Steam clean everything, especially the carpet. Spray a ton of Ozium air sanitizer through the HVAC, and use a mixture of denatured alcohol on the windows.
     
  7. PJFW8

    PJFW8 Red Menace may hurt me

    Joined:
    May 29, 2015
    Messages:
    382
    Location:
    Hendersonville, NC
    I had some success with an ozone generator. This was after a thorough interior cleaning and the use of odor eliminator products. A year later the smoke is gone but I can not get the scent of the deodorizers out of the car. If I did it again I would go to a detailer.
     
    • Helpful x 1
  8. Charliek

    Charliek Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2017
    Messages:
    96
    Location:
    Vriginia
    My wife bought a used ford escape off a lot that had be " sprayed" to mask the smoke smell . that wore off in a week and the thing smelled like smoke ( tar actually) for another two years. regular air fesheners, shampoos and leather cleaner finally go t it to a flat smell. that is tolerable .. I would steer clear
     
  9. JasontheBeaver

    JasontheBeaver Jason Barker

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2018
    Messages:
    379
    Location:
    Beaverton, Oregon
    I de-smoke cars regularly at my detailing business.
    Here's some pointers...
    First, understand that removing cigarette smoke odor is a "chipping away at it" process, not a "one magic bullet" process. Even when all the following processes are executed, there may still remain a lingering smoke odor, especially after it's closed up and in the sun for awhile. From there you just have to wait.

    * Like others here have mentioned, a deep steam cleaning of the entire vehicle's interior surface using an odor-neutral cleaner like Optimum's Power Clean is the first mandatory step. Even if it looks clean, you still need to remove as much smoke residue as possible. Focus on the headliner for obvious reasons; smoke travels up! Use a vapor-steamer with a micro-fiber towel if you have one, they produced minimal moisture and clean very well. A carpet-extractor is best for the carpets to deep-clean down into the fibers as much as possible.
    * Pre-spraying surfaces with Tabac-Attack is another tool in our arsenal. This stuff is weird but it seriously works; it initially smells like cheap French cologne, but that dissipates quickly while the product does its work.
    * Avoid anything with a fragrance like Lysol, Febreeze, etc. These perfumes will just cover it up temporarily, and make it harder to actually remove the odor.
    * Ozone is a good option to help remove the odor, especially when cycled through the ventilation system. This isn't a magic bullet however, the deep cleaning still needs to happen first. Make sure the vehicle's interior is completely dry before introducing ozone. Ventilate thoroughly afterwards before getting in the vehicle. Ozone isn't deadly, but it's irritating to your mucous membranes and can give you a headache if breathed in high concentrations.
    * Obviously replace the cabin filter.
    * Chlorine Dioxide odor "bombs" should also be used (again, after the vehicle is clean and dry). I haven't used this exact brand but I would safely assume it's similar to the commercial product I use in my shop. Again, ventilate thoroughly before reentering your car.
    * Foggers can be used to blast into the vehicle's fresh air intake system so it is sucked through your ventilation system. The idea is to get product into your ducting where it is impossible to properly clean otherwise. However the fog created isn't terribly effective, just another small chipping process to use. I wouldn't purchase a fogger just to do one car.

    Ultimately, if the odor is REALLY bad in the beginning, I would only expect 80%-ish removal following all of the steps above, from there it just takes time. If that sounds like an issue for you then I would not buy the vehicle.

    A reputable IDA Certified Detailer should be able to help you if this sounds too much to tackle in your garage.

    Good luck!
     
    • Helpful x 13
    • Informative x 2
    • Like x 2
  10. sharpgator

    sharpgator Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2017
    Messages:
    89
    Location:
    Birmingham
    I bought an ozone generator on eBay (much cheaper that way). It worked well, but was never perfect. The odor would bleed through again after a few weeks. I think the ultimate answer lies with Jason above. And like he says, it may never be perfect. There are some parts of that car that are going to be very difficult to get smoke out of such as the leather dash.
     
    • Like x 1
  11. SabrToothSqrl

    SabrToothSqrl Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2014
    Messages:
    3,613
    Location:
    PA
    Light cigarette in car. Place on dash. Walk away.
     
    • Funny x 2
  12. JasontheBeaver

    JasontheBeaver Jason Barker

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2018
    Messages:
    379
    Location:
    Beaverton, Oregon
    You forgot, "douse carpet with gasoline."
     
    • Funny x 1
  13. Kandiru

    Kandiru Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2014
    Messages:
    1,111
    Location:
    USA
    Doc: We just took you off a week on a ventilator and you will need inhalers and oxygen for the rest of your life.
    Patient: But I quit smoking 30 years ago.
     
  14. kellymc

    kellymc Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2018
    Messages:
    52
    Location:
    california
    You should be able to find a non-smoker car in CA no problem. If you can't then Ozium on a hot day will do wonders, spray it in the car (hold your breath) and leave it in the sun to "cook"
     
  15. springheat

    springheat Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2019
    Messages:
    16
    Location:
    North America
    Oh wow! It’s pretty clean indeed.

    Did you go on with the deal to buy the car?
     
  16. Spacep0d

    Spacep0d Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2019
    Messages:
    980
    Location:
    Santa Clarita, CA
    I simply wouldn't buy a car that had been smoked in. I think you could find a non-smoking car as others have mentioned in this thread. Man, I rented a Hyundai once from Enterprise (last car they had) and the thing positively reeeeeeked of cigarette smoke. I almost puked. It was bad. Because of my odd physiology, my sense of smell is crazy good. I lost some hearing at a young age and apparently my brain rewired some neurons for the nose. That's my theory anyway. :D

    Anyhoot, think of the amount of time and pride-of-ownership you're losing to that awful cigarette smell. I'd look elsewhere.
     
    • Like x 1
  17. Capitol Shine

    Capitol Shine Former Vendor

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2015
    Messages:
    14
    Location:
    Arlington, Va
  18. Shadious

    Shadious Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2018
    Messages:
    374
    Location:
    Florida
    IF (and a big IF), you are going to buy the car, I’d lowball it by $1-2k for the cost of professional detailing like the post above. It would only be worth the gamble to me if the price was crazy good. I hate cigarette smoke, but I also LOVE a good deal
     

Share This Page

  • About Us

    Formed in 2006, Tesla Motors Club (TMC) was the first independent online Tesla community. Today it remains the largest and most dynamic community of Tesla enthusiasts. Learn more.
  • Do you value your experience at TMC? Consider becoming a Supporting Member of Tesla Motors Club. As a thank you for your contribution, you'll get nearly no ads in the Community and Groups sections. Additional perks are available depending on the level of contribution. Please visit the Account Upgrades page for more details.


    SUPPORT TMC