Interior Deodorizer
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 222
Likes: 72
Meguiars Odor Eliminator.
Had a g6 convertible with Leather interior that we bought in the winter. First sunny warm day it smelled like smoke. We got the Meguiars odor elimantor and sprayed and scrubbed everything on the inside of the car, and let it air out. We sprayed down the carpets with it and kinda rubbed it around too... Did that twice, never smelled smoke again. It wasn't terrible to begin with, but it was very obvious. Meguiars worked to get rid of it.
Put a set of leather seats in my camaro to replace the cloth that came with it, had the same situation. Smelled after the fact. scrubbed down with Meguiars, took care of the issue.
no damage to the leather or interior surfaces -- just made sure to treat everything with leather conditioner / proper interior cleaner after the odor eliminator.
Bought it at walmart the first time, had to buy online the next time..
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 296
Likes: 6
From: Valencia CA
When I bought my car, the owner had an air freshener stuck in the air vents on the dash. It made the interior smell like a funeral home. After several days after removing the freshener, the smell was still there. I got a can of Febreeze and only spray a few shots to the interior. After 3-4 applications the smell disappeared.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 23
From: Anaheim CA
At some point you've had non-trivial amounts of moisture collecting inside the car, or at least inside the HVAC system. Fix that first, or you'll just be chasing your tail.
(Another possibility is rodent infestation, but the smell is different and there are usually other symptoms.)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 194
Likes: 11
From: Tennessee
I think I have determined the smell is a combo of the leather cleaner and vynal cleaner/shine used by the detailers before shipping. I've left the top down and used Febreeze and it seems to be getting better.
Many thanks to everyone that has offered advice, it is greatly appreciated.
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh NC
First you have to find the source and remove it, I would recommend a good cleaning from top to bottom.
You can go to an aquarium store and buy activated carbon. The carbon itself has no odor, but absorbs odors in your car. (Also great to stick to stick in the cold air returns in your home.)
Most deodorizers only "mask" the smell, you want something that will absorb the odor.
you can also purchase things such as this. http://www.jondon.com/odorx-bad-odor...lla-scent.html
Which will last a lot longer than most of those odor things autozone sells.
You can go to an aquarium store and buy activated carbon. The carbon itself has no odor, but absorbs odors in your car. (Also great to stick to stick in the cold air returns in your home.)
Most deodorizers only "mask" the smell, you want something that will absorb the odor.
you can also purchase things such as this. http://www.jondon.com/odorx-bad-odor...lla-scent.html
Which will last a lot longer than most of those odor things autozone sells.
Cherish your Hopes...
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 13,072
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From: West Palm Beach FL
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All "deodorizers" just cover the offensive smell.
...but even if it smells better, YOU KNOW something RANK is buried in the interior somewhere!!!
I just bought a used 2002 in Feb and although it didn't actually stink, I did what I've done with all my used Corvettes...
I Gutted it...and actually shampooed the carpet and deep cleaned all from front to back.
It will give you the excuse to sound deaden the whole Vette at the same time you're cleaning.
Zaino cleaner and Zaino conditioner will make it smell new.
It smells awesome...and looks good too.
...but even if it smells better, YOU KNOW something RANK is buried in the interior somewhere!!!
I just bought a used 2002 in Feb and although it didn't actually stink, I did what I've done with all my used Corvettes...
I Gutted it...and actually shampooed the carpet and deep cleaned all from front to back.
It will give you the excuse to sound deaden the whole Vette at the same time you're cleaning.
Zaino cleaner and Zaino conditioner will make it smell new.
It smells awesome...and looks good too.