Ozone Deodorising Treatment

[CallMeLegend]

Bought a used GLA recently from Mercedes used approved stock.

There is on occasion a whiff of cigarette smoke about the interior, I've wet vacuumed the seats, carpets, matts, headlining but there is still a slight persistent odour.

I've read really positive reviews on using an Ozone generator to actually break the molecules causing the smell down, however I'm unsure if it's snake oil, the reviews would say not.

Has anybody here used an Ozone generator to cure pongs in their car?

[Stallzy]

Had a quick search via Google and found these threads from here which may help

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

If you have any valeters or detailers local to you, maybe ask them for advice or they can sort it out. I've seen people use "odour bombs" before on YouTube, which I'm not sure if that's the same thing to what you're saying or different, but usually they let it off in the car and close the doors and windows and just wait. I did read someone saying "Aren't you meant to do it so it comes in through the air con system?" but I honestly don't know.

Another guy said using incense joss sticks worked for them, and I know they definitely work around the house when there's a weird smell, so I'm sure it would also work in a car if you do it over a couple times.

[CallMeLegend]

Stallzy said:

Another guy said using incense joss sticks worked for them, and I know they definitely work around the house when there's a weird smell, so I'm sure it would also work in a car if you do it over a couple times.

seams counter intuitive doesn't it, burning something to get rid of the smell of something that was burnt

[Rowe]

The ozone machines work well. I bought a car from a friend which had been smoked in daily. It absolutely wreaked, especially after a day sat in the baking sun.
I replaced the pollen filters, cleaned every surface with a degreaser and anti-bac, and had x2 3 hour sessions with a cheap amazon ozone machine.

It was perfect afterwards.

[Stallzy]

CallMeLegend said:

seams counter intuitive doesn't it, burning something to get rid of the smell of something that was burnt

Yeah, but it works to get rid of smells of cooked foods etc in the house for example My mum likes to cook a cauliflower curry type dish sometimes and it has a certain smell left afterwards (a bit like farts to be honest), which she has gone around with joss sticks afterwards and then the smell disappears.

I had an old Xbox that I bought off ebay and it had a cigarette smell whenever it was powered on, as did the controller it came with despite it apparently being reshelled by the person who refurbished them. Febreze do some sort of water based spray mainly designed for fabrics, but used that on the plastics and the smell has mostly gone from them now.

Could be a shout to try that kind of spray on the high contact areas or where the cigarette smell / ashes may have gone, like the headliner or the dashboard plastics etc.

[CallMeLegend]

Rowe said:

The ozone machines work well. I bought a car from a friend which had been smoked in daily. It absolutely wreaked, especially after a day sat in the baking sun.
I replaced the pollen filters, cleaned every surface with a degreaser and anti-bac, and had x2 3 hour sessions with a cheap amazon ozone machine.

It was perfect afterwards.

On the basis of this, and the youtube videos I've seen, I've orded a 10,000mgh Ozone generator from Amazon. Will report back tomorrow.

Edited by CallMeLegend on Tuesday 13th December 08:54

[Gunk]

I’ve used this stuff on my wife’s old Mini which smelt of damp dogs, two treatments sorted it

http://www.aimchemicalsinc.com/product/clobberizer...

[Belle427]

Cabin filter change is probably a must.

[georgeyboy12345]

Just be careful and heed any safety warnings - I know ozone can be dangerous!

[otolith]

It's a powerful oxidising agent and as well as odour molecules it will also attack rubber, plastic, fabrics, etc - I doubt a one-off use will do any significant harm, but I wouldn't make a habit of using it. And I'd air the car well after using it because it also attacks your respiratory system.

[CallMeLegend]

It's quite well documented as a cure for smoke smells, I've set up a 30min timer. I'm very aware of the dangers too, to will air for a decent period prior to entering the car.

Will report back in a few hours. Fingers crossed it works

[otolith]

Yes, I expect it will work, at the cost of some (probably unnoticeable) damage to the interior. Just saying that if you make a habit of using it the damage will build up and eventually it will be noticeable.

[CallMeLegend]

otolith said:

Yes, I expect it will work, at the cost of some (probably unnoticeable) damage to the interior. Just saying that if you make a habit of using it the damage will build up and eventually it will be noticeable.

Yes. Hopefully this will be a one off.

[CallMeLegend]

I am pleased to feed back good news.

After a 30min treatment and 2hr airing the smell would appear to be totally eradicated.

SWMBO is super sensitive to smoke and she agrees the smell is no longer there.

Hopefully it lasts