Nicotine dripping from my interior!

[BackwoodsSaint]

Ok, so I bought a 91 Ranger with a thrown rod to fix and re-sell, the truck is absolutely gorgeous, however the previous owner was a very heavy smoker, I wouldn't care that much if i was keeping it (the smell doesn't bother me) but as you might imagine it's not a huge selling point, now i've already tried a febreeze bomb and a bunch of those little pine trees, anybody got some good home remedies or tips on a good way to get it out? it's also been airing for about a month now.. thanks

 

[Mark_88]

On Gen I Rangers there is mostly metal surfaces (low trim level) and I have to clean mine regularly (if I remember) to keep the smell down...especially in summer...

I use Windex or other window cleaner and plenty of paper towels on the trim surfaces and have removed the head liner once to scrub it with soapy water and let it drip dry...but I found Febreeze actually removes or masks the smell better than anything...

Remember that the seats, door panels, and any carpet that is exposed will absorb the smoke and smell...especially when it gets wet...

Any plastic surfaces need to be washed with warm soapy water or a similar spray cleaner like that for windows...

Now, that reminds me...lol

 

[Lil-Pony]

Mine smells like old man, better than smoke i guess

 

[Surrey]

Use vinegar on all hard surfaces, and sprinkle LOTS of baking soda over the carpets and seats. Let the baking soda sit for a day, vacuum it up, and then let the truck air out for a little bit.

If you know anyone with a carpet cleaner, like one of those little Bissel Green Machines, borrow that and put it to use. Just make sure you do a really good job sucking up any water you spray on the seats and make sure it can air dry.

Febreeze or Lysol fabric spray can be amazing products too.

edit - for the vinegar, mix it 50/50 with water, then wipe down anything thats not fabric.

 

[4x4junkie]

Cigarette (tobacco) smoke is very nasty dirty stuff. The smoke carries the tar and other compounds deep into anything that's even remotely permeable (not just cloth, carpet & padding, but vinyl & rubber parts too). Kindof like spilled rotten milk baked in the sun, or dead-body smell, the only way you can get rid of it completely is to burn it to the ground.

Short of that (or replacing every single non-hard-plastic/non-metallic interior component), Surrey's baking soda/vinegar idea sounds to me like your best bet to at least make somewhat of a dent in the amount of odor.

Steam-cleaning the carpets, headliner & seats should help also (assuming you haven't done that yet).

 

[BackwoodsSaint]

i have baking soda in there for the night, we'll see how good it is come morning

 

[Surrey]

Google is your friend for this sorta thing. I moved into a house that stunk of wet dog, and we were able to deal with it....

And I mean, stunk so bad, when I was there to look at the house, someone else showed up to look too. They walked up the front stairs, said 'This place stinks! this is absolutely disgusting, you shouldn't even be showing it like this!' turned around and left. I said fukk them, I"ll take it! lol

Its doable, it just will take some work and probably a few different things to get the smell out.

 

[ElectraRider]

Might try Pine-sol that's what I use to get my steering wheel clean and other hard surfaces, that I seem to get pretty grimy. It comes in different fragrances as well.

 

[truckfan]

You can also use ozone machine or generator to completely clean the air inside your rig.

 

[RonD]

For sale: 1991 Ranger perfect inside and out, smokers only, no quitters!

45 cartons of Camel non-filters, OBO
Cash accepted if previous arrangement is made

 

[veefer800canuck]

Steam clean all the fabric and clean the crap out of all the plastic and metal surfaces.

 

[shane96ranger]

If you know anyone with a carpet cleaner..... borrow that and put it to use.

And whatever the hell you do, DON'T tell them what you are using it for.

 

[MastuhWaffles]

Don't they make stuff that is a foam? I think I have a can of it, it has a scrubber on it and you work it into the seats. Might try that?

 

[mobileaudio219]

Every time I get a new vehicle and it's pretty dirty/smelly, I pull the carpet and seats out and take them to the car wash. I like using the car wash over a regular power washer because it sprays out warm soapy water.... After I'm sure that I got out everything I can, I drag everything over to the vacuum and suck up all the extra water, then lay it out in the sun to dry.

While that is drying, I take a bucket of soap and water and scrub all the hard plastic....

Once everything is dry, I hit it with some febreze and re-install everything... Not only is all smell gone, but the carpet and everything is so fluffy and smooth... lol

A single cab 2nd gen shouldn't take very long to do.

 

[Mark_88]

For sale: 1991 Ranger perfect inside and out, smokers only, no quitters!

45 cartons of Camel non-filters, OBO
Cash accepted if previous arrangement is made

LOL...I'd want to throw in a lighter or two on that deal...

I might pull my carpets and seats out before the end of summer and try some of these suggestions. My truck is starting to get to me lately but I must admit that I've been a bit slack on my regular cleaning routine. It's no surprise that some people (even smokers) turn a bit green after it has been baking in the sun with the windows closed and they jump in.

If I happen to fart on top of that I'm sure I'd see a few casualties in the passenger seat...