raj99

Hi folks,

I'm interested in a D3, however there is one big caveat...it has been smoked in. The smoke smell is not over-powering but it's there and I really don't like it.

Therefore, does anyone have any great ideas on how to get rid of such a smell? I'm fine with paying someone to do it, but was wondering if there is one particular way vs. another that works better (e.g., steam cleaning).

snapdragon

Hire a machine and shampoo the carpets and headlining.
I do this with every car new to me, but nowadays don't bother removing the seats due to all the electronics in them. The RugDoctor is readily available but is not the easiest to use for upholstery, the ESCORT machine is better.
http://www.rugdoctor.com

jakematic

Ionizer on full bore, left overnight with windows up.
Something like this May require several treatments.

Or you could take up smoking, but it may be more expensive


p.s. If it's my previous D3 apologies in advance

bmwm750

Damn. That's a tough one. I had to pass on an M3 a couple years ago as it had been smoked in. You can use an ozone creating appliance, ionizer, shampoo the carpets (I wouldn't dare try to clean the suede headliner in these cars), clean and condition the leather, leave it in the sun, or some combination of the above, and over time, it will likely go away, but during said time while it's going away, it would drive me nuts.

The only time I've ever picked up a car that had been smoked in was a Boxster, as I didn't really care since whenever I'd be driving it the top would be down, and it was the right deal. After one summer of all that sun and fresh air, the smoke smell was gone, but for me to pickup something like an A8 that had been smoked in, it'd really have to be perfect in every other way, and even then, it'd have to be the right deal.

raj99

The ionizer seems like a must do...i'm going to let a detailing service try to do the full interior detail before hand, whereby they steam clean and sanitize everything: Ozone Treatment, HVAC Cleansing and a headliner dry cleaning.

I hope that does the trick. The price for the vehicle is certainly right, hence why i'm even remotely interested in it. For me it would be a 'no brainer' had the vehicle not been smoked in, but I know myself and heck I had a hard time dating a girl who smoked occasionally...imagine living with a car that smells akin to an ashtray

To sum it up, sounds like I should do the following:

steam clean carpeting and any rug-like surface, deep clean leather, some form of headliner 'dry clean', air compress and deodorize hvac, change out cabin filter, ionize.

heck if that doesn't do the 'trick' i'll just have to either sell it or take up smoking...on 2nd thought...I think i'll save my weak lungs

thanks for the feedback and keep it coming if there's someone that I've missed

jakematic

Sounds like a good plan raj99.

One bit of advice for other smokers I found out the hard way over the years is NEVER use a re-circ option on HVAC.
Even I couldn't stand the smell that caused.

Or quit.

raj99

I understand the possible value of ingesting probiotic, however don't see the link to something being a probiotic and cleaning ones car?

Care to explain?

Also, what are the products you offer? Since, deodorizing is a temporary masking agent, not a permanent fix.

snapdragon

Hmm, maybe the protease enzyme in biological laundry detergent would work?
I have cleaned the Alcantara seats with a shampoo machine on a VW and it was fine, the only thing to watch is if the tool is damaged/rough, it could snag.

dvs_dave

The best way to get rid of smoke smell, after a good clean and cabin filter change is to use a fogger. They essentially pump out a deodorizing fog that has the same flow properties as smoke. Therefore it's able to get to and into all the same surfaces and materials that the original smoke was able to contaminate. And by doing so eliminates virtually all of the odor causing contaminants.

This is the method used to decontaminate a building that has suffered smoke damage. Its works extremely well.

You can rent or buy odor foggers easily. Check this video out for a demo of one being used in a car.

The idea is to get the fog into all areas that the smoke got too so once the cabin is done, you may need to re-do the process again to decontaminate the AC system. For this you'll need to make sure that the AC is on, recirc, set to warm (not full heat), and that air is being directed through all vents (floor, dash, windows). Oh and if you have ventilated seats, make sure they're on too.

Happy deodorizing.