Getting rid of cigar smell in a 380 SL - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Southin · #1 11-16-2002, 04:57 PM

A recently purchased and otherwise immaculate 85 380 SL has a noticeable stale cigar or cigarette smell from a previous owner. What products or treatment would be most effective in removing the smell from the leather and carpets? A friend suggested Fabreze, but I hesitate to use it on leather. Any advice would be most appreciated.

Southern · #2 11-17-2002, 12:05 AM

I would put fill the ash tray with baking power, the will absorb some of the orders. Aslo try some carpet fresh on the carpets.

The best trick I discovered for eliminating orders is to put your car in freezing wheather. Try putting your car outside overnight when the temperatures are down below freezing. The next day you should notice a dramatic change. This also works for coats that have a bad smoke order.

aTOMic · #3 11-17-2002, 09:11 AM

If the car has an interior (cabin air) filter I'd change that, also if the previous owner used the recirc much the ducts on the AC will be stinky, I have heard of spraying air freshener into the AC air intake to cure that. GM used to (and may still) sell a product through their parts dep't for that purpose. The cabin air filter will stink if he used recirc so I STRONGLY recommend you check that option. (Buy it from Fastlane on the tabs at the top of the page to save big $).

I heard on "Car Talk" that a bag of charcoal briquets opened into the rear footwell (after lining them with newspaper) will absorb odors; cheap solution and you can still use them for grilling. (Leave them there while the car is parked in the hot summer sun with windows up).

I would also wipe every surface with a dilute solution of some mild soap on a terry towel (almost dry for the perforated leather) smoke makes a film that coats stuff.

How long have you had the car?

I smoke cigars occaisonally and I am amazed that the smell DOES dissipate (as reported by my wife with the super sniffer). Of course I keep the window slightly open so the passing air vacuums out the smoke, and I try to blow out the window.

good luck,
-Tom

P.S. Welcome to MercedesShop.com!

royaiii · #4 11-18-2002, 11:27 PM

I used a half a bottle of Gucci Envy, to get rid of previous owner smell. The best way to deal with odors, is windows down, parked in the sun. I have heard a house plant is also good. If the seats smell, then the smell is in the cushion and that smell will never go away unless you replace the cushion. You could try putting a hepa filter in the car with all the windows closed except one slightly open for the wire and park it in the sun.

I don't feel comfortable with leaving a car in freezing weather because the moisture could also leave its own scent. Plus, there are many electronics in the car that you wouldnt want exposed to freezing cold like the stereo, speakers and a bunch of other electronics.

Don't use Match-Lite charcoal unless you want to torch your car.

I also bought a car air filter that plugs into the cigarette lighter that ionizes the air. Seems to be alright.

lbuggie · #5 11-19-2002, 07:36 AM

A real simple, "mother in laws" secret to getting rid of smoke/cigar smells and other miscellaneous odors is to hang an old tube sock that has been soaked in good old fashion white vinegar. It should not be dripping wet. It works well in the house as well to get rid of many smells. We found this out when our dog got into a skunk a number of times. Once my wife stuck the dog in the car rather then bring him in the house...so the car was really bad. After two days, the smell was gone. You might need a few nights with the rag hanging from the rear mirror. Good luck, it's cheap, and works well.

Southern · #6 11-19-2002, 08:44 AM

For those of us who live in the northern climate freezing wheather in the winter is very common. Car manufactures also design cars to withstand the freezing temperatures. Typically when the temperatures are below freezing (in Chicago climate) the air is usually very dry so moisture is not a problem.
My 1988 Honda Accord has survived 15 years of freezing Chicago winters and the electronics still work like new.

JCE · #7 11-19-2002, 10:04 AM

You might try using Ozium spray. It is sold at many pharmacies and hospital supply facilities, and at some car washes.

jcd · #8 11-19-2002, 10:22 AM

Fabreeze

JCD

royaiii · #9 11-19-2002, 11:24 AM

True, the car is designed to withstand freezing temps but not with the windows down. Just imagine, you leave the windows down, and it rains or snows overnight. I used to live in Chicago, I hated the cold. One day, the gas in my gas tank froze in addition to the coolant in my radiator. I walked to a gas station and said I had to put like a gas antifreeze. That is when I decided I will move to L.A.

Windows down, parked in the sun is actually how MB deals with odors. I asked a service advisor.

Southern · #10 11-19-2002, 12:34 PM

I also don't recommend that the car windows are down outside. The inside of the car will get very cold with the windows up - sorry for any confusion from my first post.

If it is cold enough the car can be left inside a garage and still get cold enough to eliminate orders.

The trick to prevent gas from getting moisture in it is to keep a full tank of gas in the freezing temperatures. This prevents condensation in the gas tank.

I don't like the cold but I love the snow.

suginami · #11 11-19-2002, 01:09 PM

I'd try any of the odor removing sprays, like Fabreeze. I use it all the time and works amazingly well. When I unpack my clean clothes from my suitcase after checking them in on a flight, they smell awful. The smell is much like cigarette smoke, although I know it's not.

I take my clean suits, shirts, pants, etc., and spray them real good, and hang them back up in the closet. They end up smelling as clean and pure as the wind driven snow.

Meguiar's also sells two odor removing sprays - one for "sports odors" and another for general car odors.

http://www.meguiars.com/product_showroom/showproducts_template.cfm?SrcLine=CI

Southin · #12 11-20-2002, 11:16 AM

Since I live in a freezing climate, perhaps the odours will disappear over the winter on their own, if cold itself will do the trick. (The car is in an unheated garage and not winter-driven.)
I know Fabreze works well on fabrics, and I'll certainly spray it on the carpets without concern. Has anyone had anyone tried it on leather with either good or bad results?
I'll also try the various home remedies (vinegar, charcoal, and baking soda) over the winter. With any luck my car should be fresh as a daisy by spring, when it goes back on the road.
Many thanks to my respondants...and keep any further thoughts coming.
S

aTOMic · #13 11-20-2002, 03:08 PM

I've GOT IT!!

Start smoking cigars!!

-Tom

#14 11-21-2002, 08:57 PM

I smoke in my car and this is what i do:

1) leave windows down in summer time or winter or leave the sunroof cracked at 45 degree angle overnight, this way fresh air can get in their and dillute the smell. Its ok to leave your windows cracked (NOT WHEN ITS RAINING OR SNOWING THOUGH!) When i park inside a parking garage to go into a meeting or dr office or whatever, i just open the sunroof a little and being indoors i am not worried.

2) steam clean carpets and clean leather/MB tex every once in a while. this will help a lot, do it 2 or 3 times a year.

3) i use meguiars odor eliminator and sometimes griots garage leather spray, this makes the car smell "new". Even the most trained noises cant tell that i smoke in my car, they are always shocked, lol.

#15 11-21-2002, 08:59 PM

Opps i forgot,

smoke gets all over the car, so spray inside airvents and also move the seat forward and backards all the way to really get in there, dont forget the headliner and the doors and other "nooks and crannies".

Since you just bought the car, check very carefully, maybe he has half a stogie under the seat caught up in a crack somewhere, lol. i seen all sorts of stuff under and around seats.