That used car smell

[LeftmostAardvark]

I've just picked up a C3 Picasso (ex-motability) and when I put the deposit down I had a cold so couldn't smell anything. I picked it up yesterday and the cleaning products the dealer used have obviously worn off because the interior reeks of smoke and it is even worse this morning. I've got all the windows open hoping it doesn't rain and have been driving with the blowers on full and windows open whenever I can. What is the best way to get rid of this smell? Would a professional valet make a difference or will the smell just come back?

It's had 20,000 miles and 3.5 years of what now smells like chain smoking.

Thanks in advance.

[Krikkit]

Might need a more experienced detailer's advice, but I can't imagine it'll be easy to get rid of... Maybe something like what Harris' S4 got would cure it?

Edited by Krikkit on Wednesday 11th September 09:01

[excel monkey]

LeftmostAardvark said:

What is the best way to get rid of this smell?

Magic Tree. HTH.

[SebastienClement]

My 75 did smell of smoke too.

I have replaced the carpets, seats, any other upholstered bits, and it's much better now

[LeftmostAardvark]

SebastienClement said:

My 75 did smell of smoke too.

I have replaced the carpets, seats, any other upholstered bits, and it's much better now

So basically throw a grenade in and shut the doors? Seems a bit drastic (and its a citroen, so who knows what'll happen).

[FatChops]

Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda on all the carpets and seats leave it a for a few hours, the longer the better then vacuum it up, that will absorb a lot of stench and costs bugger all. Granny knows best.

[V12 Migaloo]

Get a couple of baking trays and fill them with fresh charcoal, the charcoal will soak up the smells and remove them from the car, place one on the rear parcel tray, one on the rear bench, and one on each front seat... Then get your self some liquid leather and apply liberally to al leather or plastic surfaces.....

[steveo3002]

wash down all the hard plastics with some warm soapy water , wet vac the seats etc

be worth asking on detailingworld.co.uk if theres anyone local , pro valeters have a machine that can fog the car with some stink killing fog that actualy gets rid rather than masking it

[HarryFlatters]

You could always take up smoking?

Failing that, a liberal dousing in Fabreeze might help.

[SystemParanoia]

febreeze in the finger squirt bottle, spray it EVERYWHERE

do it twice over 3 - 4 days, works a charm.. my car smells of nothing now instead of rancid smoke masked by .... something lol

[Paul O]

These guys offer a service that might be of interest..

http://www.bespokedetailingsolutions.co.uk/OurServ...

I've used Darren for detailing my car and the results are great. I haven't tried this Oudour elemination, but it would be worth a chat with him.

[SonicShadow]

Bulk buy some Febreeze, keep applying it daily until the smell is gone.

[new_bloke]

It'll be the headlining that's worst I'd think. Make sure you treat that too...

[Dids444]

A friend was in a similar situation recently as she bought an ex mobility 10 plate Yaris which had been a smokers car. She had a professional valet done and apparently the guy used a smoke bomb (as she described it) and the interior smokey smells have gone.

I can get some more details if you like? From memory she paid about £50

[budgie smuggler]

I hesitate to post this knowing of our internet monitoring overlords friends in GCHQ, but you can get something called a 'bomb' which releases some kind of noxious car cleaning chemicals. You leave the car air con running in recirc mode I think.

Edited by budgie smuggler on Wednesday 11th September 12:22

[Fastra]

Charcoal apparently.

[Axel350Z]

HarryFlatters said:

You could always take up smoking?

.

have a