Removing Smoke Smell
 

Any suggestions for removing smoke smell from a recently purchased vehicle? It must be pretty embedde because the prior owner did a pretty good job of removing it for the sale but it crept back in. Thanks!

I had a Ford Taurus company car which was totaled. I was given another person's Ford and he was a big smoker. The car stunk. You must have the carpets shampooed, the seats shampooed and the headliner sprayed with neutralizer. This is of course after all the other surfaces are washed i.e. the dash and panels. After all this the car no longer smelled of smoke. Sounds like a big job but really don't take too long and is satisfying when you're finished. Could require two applications depending on the severity. You can try ZEP smoke odor eliminator available at Lowe's, Meguiar's whole car air refreshener and others to help. GOOD LUCK! :bigthumbu

Or get quotes from a few local car detail shops.

It’s everywhere. Air con etc. probably cheaper to trade it in for another one then spending the money trying all methods - but still can’t get rid of it.

The smoke smell can be successfully eliminated. Just takes time and effort.

Do a Google search on ozone generators, that may be a good option for you.

There’s also a pressurized product in a can that is placed inside the car and fills the interior with the product while the car is idled for some period of time with HVAC on recirculate. So gets into all the ducting etc. never tried it, but I recall there are other threads on here about it. A google search would turn up more.

Successfully cleaned the interior and got rid of the smoke smell just washing and shampooing the upholstery and plastic surfaces. Don't forget to clean the air ducts as much as you can, under the dash, and change the cabin air filter.

I had good success with Vamoose! It binds to the nicotine and makes it like a salt. Then you take a wet towel and wipe all of it off. You spray everything from the seat belts to the headliner, let it dry, then wipe. My towel was brown afterwards.

You can also turn on the heater to max temp and recirc on, then spray the return air with it. Also ozone generator as what was mentioned before.

https://www.vamooseproducts.com/

As mentioned above, I would try an ozone generator as they are not that expensive and are even used by detailers for smell issues. Make sure you read the recommended run time and don't let it run for too long depending on the strength of the machine as it can react with components in the car like the rubber and fabric and cause an even worse smell.

I have a 2000 es300 and when i first bought it it has used oil smell like it was in a mechanic garage for years, did everything even ozone machine. I suspect but dont have time to check that there is oil under the front carpets and on top of the floor