cigarette smoke

[edl]

what is the best way to remove lingering odors of cigarette smoke from the interior of a car (leather seats, carpeting, etc) - thanks,

[AutowerxDetailing]

Subscribed.

I have heard ozone generators work really well but have never used one. Interested to see what people suggest.

[wgilles]

It's a tough job, but you need to clean every interior surface...EVERY surface. Get the headliner good, I've found that a lot of the smoke attaches itself up there.

I've only done one car with smoke odor and it wasn't that bad...some of the other members here might have more insight.

[RZJZA80]

I read somewhere that placing a bowl of white vinegar inside the car overnight will eliminate odors. I haven't tried this myself, but I can see how it would help.

Ozone generators/air cleaners DO work well, I've used one for a long time and it works like a charm.

[edl]

air cleaners DO work well, I've used one for a long time and it works like a charm.

which air cleaner do you use?

have you ever tried Febreze? - i read a case study on that product and it actually is designed to eliminate the odor (through chemical reactions) rather than mask it with a good fragrance - don't know if it works

[Mobile detail]

Ozone generator is usually the surefire way. I usually will clean everything like crazy with a degreaser. I had one chevy 1500 that the guy smoke 3 packs a day in it with the windows barley down. The amount of tobacco on the doors and plastic trim was unlike anything I have ever seen. I can't tell you how many rags and Degreaser I went through. After that I'll steam/extract the carpets with a odor eliminator enzyme and hit up the headliner with my Tornador.

The big thing is, I only come across this if
1. Someone borrowed a persons car (usually a kid borrowing mom/dads car) and someone smoked in it and they need to get the smell out ASAP
2. Someone purchased a used car and it has the funk smell.

If your doing a smokers car, they don't mind the smell. Heck, I've smoked for years (I absolutely hate it and want to quite SO BAD) and my truck doesn't smell at all. Granted it will have a little hint of it right after I get done smokeing but after that, it smells normal.

[RZJZA80]

which air cleaner do you use?

have you ever tried Febreze? - i read a case study on that product and it actually is designed to eliminate the odor (through chemical reactions) rather than mask it with a good fragrance - don't know if it works

The portable one made by Alpine, formerly airquest or something like that

[edl]

in this case i purchased a used car...