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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Wash, Wax, Detailing and Cosmetic protection/repairs > how to get rid of cigarette smell?



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      09-03-2010, 07:29 AM   #23
Majikthese42
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jayely1 View Post
I honestly don't think its possible??
+1. The molecules are likely absorbed by the billions of foam cells in the interior upholstery, so I don't see how it's possible to make 100% of the smell go away without replacing the interior.

It's possible to get it to fall below the nonsmoker's smell threshold, depending on how sensitive the nonsmoker's sense of smell is. After some time (years?) other smells in the car (like mold, decaying leaves in the HVAC system) should get stronger than the tobacco smell.

I've heard using freshly ground coffee beans masks the odor with a more pleasant one. Then there are those air-freshener gizmos that you hang from the rear view mirror.
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      09-03-2010, 08:27 AM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snowboarder21 View Post
get a new cabin air filter and use febreze
This. A new cabin air filter is a must. It's pretty easy to change it yourself. It's under the hood up near the windshield.

I bought my E90 used from a BMW dealer. They didn't even offer to show me the car, I saw it on their website and noticed the price was a good deal. When I asked about it, the salesman had the windows rolled down when we first got in and took a test drive. I expressed interest, and we continued to negotiate over the phone. When we got really close to a deal, I went back to the dealer. He had the car in the detailing bay. I looked it over again and bought it.

The next day I drove somewhere and parked in the sun. When I got back in the car... POW! I could smell the smoke from the previous owner (one J. Maccio from N.J.), and even noticed that the headliner was lightly stained right by the driver's sun visor. Now I know why it was priced lower than similar models.

After a few weeks, however, the smell went away. I did use Febreeze, and the dealer had put in a new air filter.

And, no, I did not just get used to the smell. I ask other people if they smell it, and they don't.

Last edited by Taxvictim; 09-03-2010 at 08:43 AM..
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      09-03-2010, 11:03 AM   #25
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Maybe give this a try as well?

http://www.chemicalguys.com/Odor_Eli...spi_105_16.htm
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      09-03-2010, 01:31 PM   #26
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You need to find someone with an ozone machine. Cleaning everything and changing the cabin air filter is a good first step, but will not fully remove the smell. Baking soda in the car helps as well, as it will absorb the odors. An ozone machine will kill the smell for sure though.
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      09-03-2010, 02:12 PM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tony20009 View Post
I am a smoker and I only smoke in the car with the drivers window halfway down and the ventilation system completely off, which creates a suction to pull the smoke and the ashes out of the car. I never smoke in it just before getting out and closing up the car. Religiously adhering to these practices has so far kept the smell from getting in the car to begin with. Even when the a/c is on, I don't use the recirculating air feature.

I will off that one day, a passenger did light up before I turned off the ventilation and the smell did get in. It took about two months of just adhering to the practices noted above to get the smell to go away. Time does heal all wounds.
I smoke in my car exact same way, no smoke smell here.
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      09-03-2010, 02:30 PM   #28
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Originally Posted by drocay View Post
I smoke in my car exact same way, no smoke smell here.
Again, LOL.
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      09-03-2010, 04:46 PM   #29
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Try this

When I acquired my 2007 CPO 335i this past month, I noticed the dealer used some type of cover up smell for the interior . I also noticed a couple of stains on the headliner. They ended up replacing the headliner and the floor mats, but the smell (a cross between Fabreeze and cigarette smoke) still lingered. I found this on Griots and tried it. I basically mixed it with a little water, placed it in a small box in the front passenger seat, closed all the windows and left it there overnight. The next day I opened up the door and the interior had a strong bleach type smell. I then left the windows open for several hours. It seemed to have worked, as my family thinks the car smells fresh and clean without any cover up smell.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...rrivals&page=1

As always, your mileage may vary.
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      09-04-2010, 03:21 AM   #30
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Smoke

Its molecules are microscopic and they exhibit a very strong adhesive quality; plus they don't conform to normal cleaning standards. It is these micro particulates that embed themselves in the fibres of the headliner, seats and carpet. These are particles of incomplete combustion with a size of 0.1 to 4µ; the average human hair is between 40 – 600 µ; whereas the average smoke particle is 150 times smaller.

A solvent will not break their bond; a detergent will not suspend them for extraction. More than any other dour problem smoke removal is a process. You cannot eliminate odours by shampooing the interior, and/or spraying a deodorizer. Many odours are caused by micro-organisms such as bacteria, mould, and mildew.

It amazes me that even professionals still think they can eliminate odours by shampooing the interior, and spraying a deodorizer. Nothing is farther from the truth, technically, an odour is an invisible gas, and so it can permeate any material or crevice. Many odours are caused by micro-organisms such as bacteria, mould, and mildew. Not only does shampooing not eradicate these odours, it spreads them over a much wider area.

You eliminate dour-causing organisms with very specialized chemicals. Look for stains, if there are no stains, use the process of elimination; it is very effective when searching for the source of an odour; floor or seats, mats or carpet? If the vehicle has velour upholstery, a spill can penetrate on contact. If it is vinyl or leather, it will run to the deepest seam. Pay special attention to the headliner and all glass surfaces

The most important aspect of removing as opposed to using a product that will cover it, only for the odour to return later on, or at the very least mitigating an offensive door is that you must find and remove its origin. Don’t be fooled by the claims of odour removal products; if it doesn’t have a cleaning agent in it, you’re not going to get rid of the odour.

If you thoroughly clean the interior and it still smells you have not removed the material which is generating the smell. You can use an ozone machine, steam / extractor, scrub, and vacuum etc but if you do not remove the origin the smell will remain. Replace the cabin air filter (if fitted) as it will retain the smoke micro-organisms

Counteractants

Odour Neutralizer / Deodorizing

Many odours are caused by micro-organisms such as bacteria, mould, smoke and mildew. First start by cleaning all the interior surfaces; but remember shampooing alone will not eradicate these odours. You eliminate dour-causing organisms with very specialized chemicals.

Look for stains, if there are no stains, use the process of elimination; it is very effective when searching for the source of an odour; floor or seats, mats or carpet. If the vehicle has velour upholstery, a spill can penetrate on contact. If it is vinyl or leather, it will run to the deepest seam. Pay special attention to the headliner and all glass surfaces

Aquartz - CleanAir, this is not a perfume cover-up type product but an advanced high grade air purification coating based on the latest nano-science technology photo catalyst. In the presence of light, active oxygen is formed and excited on the treated surfaces to destroy all micro-sized air pollutants, including petro fumes, smog, diesel smoke, exhaust gases, industrial smoke, chemical off-gassing or VOCs from car fabric, leather and plastic materials, air toxins, cigarette odours, etc.
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      09-04-2010, 05:49 AM   #31
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thank you everyone for your help and tips!
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      09-04-2010, 09:53 AM   #32
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I like the blue text color; good suggestion.
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      09-04-2010, 02:20 PM   #33
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so i'm trying to order that spray (the one in the blue text above) but no where has it. you know where i can find that?
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      09-04-2010, 02:23 PM   #34
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solution to smoke smell:

start smoking.
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      09-04-2010, 02:51 PM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by express705 View Post
solution to smoke smell:

start smoking.
ew dude
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      09-04-2010, 03:07 PM   #36
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ew dude
eeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwww
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      09-04-2010, 03:26 PM   #37
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Originally Posted by express705 View Post
eeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwww
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      09-04-2010, 03:29 PM   #38
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      09-04-2010, 03:45 PM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by express705 View Post
solution to smoke smell:

start smoking.
I don't think that totally works, but it does reduce one's sensitivity to the smell. As a smoker, though, I cannot stand -- to the extent I can smell it -- the smell of smoke coming out of my air vents and I won't even get in a car if it just reeks of smoke.
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      09-04-2010, 03:49 PM   #40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tony20009 View Post
I don't think that totally works, but it does reduce one's sensitivity to the smell. As a smoker, though, I cannot stand -- to the extent I can smell it -- the smell of smoke coming out of my air vents and I won't even get in a car if it just reeks of smoke.
can't agree more.
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      09-20-2012, 10:54 AM   #41
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I too realized i bought a car that had a previous smoker, now that its hot outside it is coming back with a vengeance.

I need to get car detailed by winter so I need to research this topic
more...
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      09-20-2012, 04:20 PM   #42
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an interior detail with carpet extraction (headliner too), swap the cabin filter, and do the baking soda trick where you put it in some Tupperware and let it sit overnight a few times. Then take it to a place that will run an ozone machine..you may need more then 1 treatment (treatments shouldn't last long, ozone can damage the interior). That should get rid of all of it, or most of it.
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      09-23-2012, 02:49 AM   #43
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There is truth to having a smoker not be able to smell it in his/her car. But I know for me in my DD I did smell it, now I would have been worse if I didnt have my driver window only open and no HVAC on. But I got rid of the smell my a ozone machine, and baking soda. I didnt notice it, and people who hate the smell of smoke can not smell it again.
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      10-03-2012, 08:53 AM   #44
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Update:

Armnhammer now sells a sweet small baking soda round version. So u dont need the tupperware with box anymore.

It even comes with a suction cup, but i used a little velcro and stuck it on the carpet in front of rear center bump.
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