ozone generators, odor removal and vinyl
 

I have read on earlier posts that an ozone generator can be used to remove cigarette and other odors that accumulate in our vehicles. However, I believe that I have also seen it written that ozone damages vinyl and other plastics. Does anyone know if the use of an ozone generator to remove smells from an old benz will damage the vinyl and plastic used on seats (mbtex) dashboards and elsewhere?

I bought an ozone generator from an internet store but before I use it in my car I want to make sure that I won't be substituting a new problem for the existing one. TIA.

I used one with no wierd effects.

Try this
 

Try something VERY simple first. Take an old tube sock; soak it up with white vinegar. You just want the sock to be damp with the vinegar, not really wet. Then hang it from the rear view mirror for a few days. You can do this in the evening after you have parked the vehicle for the evening. This way you don't have to drive around with a sock hanging from the mirror. It will not harm anything and absorbs many odors, especially smoke. You can use a longer rubber band to suspend the sock from the mirror.

You can repeat the process, but this really works.

It will even get rid of skunk odors, which is difficult to get rid of. My wife put the dog in one of our vehicles rather than in the house one time after he got into a skunk, and let me tell you...after a few choice words I used this method to get rid of the odor. It works!

I'm a chemist. Yes, ozone will destroy plastics and (especially) rubber items. That being said, I don't know if the concentration of ozone created by one of them fancy car de-smellerators is enough to really screw anything up. It's probably fine for occasional use, but I wouldn't do it very often.
Brian

I think the POSSIBILITY of some damage is les important than the Certainty of you car smelling like a pack of wet dogs have been lining in it...........

If you are using a Ozone generator I think its becasue the car reeks to high heaven right now.