The previous smoking owner of my XK8 was very disrespectful of this beautiful car.... ( I actually had to replace the left side frame column piece because she had burned it, and repairs to it were terrible)... and in the two years I've had it, I still can't get all the smoke smell out. It's not as bad as before, but sometimes.... yuk!... I've shampooed all the rugs and floor mats several times... sprayed fabreeze in the ducts and around... Do I have to get a new headliner?? Having it taken out and steam cleaned might cost just as much....... what do you all think?

 

Get rid of the used ashtrays! I have found that is what keeps the stench lingering. It seems no matter what you scrub them with the smell is always there.

 

Sorry, but it's the other way around ... the smoker owns the car and does what she pleases with it.

 

Not an expert just had a little time to look on the internet. I hope it helps!

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I recommend Dymon Liquid Alive. I once inherited a company car from a smoker and this stuff did the trick. Here's a link: Amazon.com: Liquid Alive Odor Digester, Four - 1 Gallon Bottles per Case: Office Products

Mike

 

take up smoking,LOL...steve

 

I am very sensitive to smoke and can smell the smoke oder from a person who smokes outdoors and then walks by me.

Since smoke goes everywhere(including air ducts & under carpets) and is absorbed into fabrics & foam, this sounds like a major cleaning/detailing job.

Most places will just surface clean & hide the smoke with air fresheners.

I rented an apartment once that after about a year, the smoke odor started seeping out from the walls.

Sell it.

 

I bought a Dodge Ram Charger years ago that was smoked in and of course stunk badly. I bought 5 boxes of baking soda and spread it all over the carpets and let it sit for 5 days. Then vacuumed it all up. It really made a difference. Do make sure the weather is dry when this is done.

Regards,

Don

 

Stratohammer ..... Thanks, I've ordered some to try it out....

millenia man ..... Thanks... I'm a big fan of baking soda (great instead of expensive toothpaste)... I'll try it......

I still think the headliner is going to be the problem... and the ducts...

 

Well I have seen an ozone machine that was used in a deceased persons car who was not found for a few days. It worked, they plugged it in and let it run for about a day. no smell whatso ever.

 

Second the baking soda idea. Once bought a FirepowerII pinball machine out of a bar, smoke smell was outrageous. We could smell it downstairs.

Got a box of baking soda and a box of Bounce dryer sheets. Poured the baking soda out into a large plate, locked that inside the machine along with the open box and a few dryer sheets.

A week or so later the smell was gone.

Good luck.

 

You could also try putting the ashtray in your domestic dishwasher. I have cleaned a number of parts this way and the results are often spectacular. Just don't let the wife know

 

Febreze works pretty good if yu give everything cloth a good spray and repeat it. But if the smoke smell actually overwhelms the great smell of the leather you do have a problem. Carpet and headliner may have to come out. Can you smell it on the outside of the canvass top?

 

...reminds me of that Seinfeld episode, his car had that BO smell. It could be worse...or could it?

Seinfeld - The Car Stinks - YouTube

 

^^^ Good one Matt, I had forgotten that episode.

 

Cigarette smoke contains tar which leaves a greasy residue on all non permeable surfaces and absorbs into porous fabrics.
Odour neutralisers will help but the real answer is:

Clean every smooth surface with something that will cut the grease (lemon scented glass cleaner will do for non leather). I mean every surface!

Shampoo all fabrics. Well worth investing in a cheap handheld steamer for headlinings etc (try amazon). Steamers are great for for valeting around the engine and awkward areas such as hinges, so you can justify the purchase!

 

I used to smoke in my 1989 Honda CRX. When I sold it, I removed the competition audio system components and reinstalled the factory speakers and audio system. When I removed the interior panels, I found this stinky tarry substance from smoking covered the metal panels. That's when I quit smoking for good. This stuff is awful.

I bought my wife a 2005 Jaguar S-Type and it has smoking odor. I had it detailed and paid for some odor remover, but no joy. I plan to replace the cabin filter, soak some towels in vinegar, put them in bowls, and let them absorb orders for a while. I will follow up with bicarbonate of soda and steam cleaning. I will let you know how it works out. If I can't fix it, I am selling this car.

Greg