My wife and I purchased a 2016 XC90 T6 Momentum with high mileage and a robust cigarette smoke odor in the car. It has taken a while but after a few weeks, we got all the smoke smell out except for the steering wheel. The previous owner's left had obviously held the lit cigarettes and the smell was absorbed into the leather on that side of the steering wheel. My wife tried all sorts of things, soaking an old t-shirt in white vinegar (also tried a smoke odor remover) and then wrapping it around that part of the wheel with shrink wrap. We steamed the wheel and tried various cleaning/deodorizing products all to no avail. I finally gave up and purchased a used steering wheel on eBay from a wreck for $75. Even with the small scratch on the top of the new wheel the car now seems to be smoke-odor-free and this was the easiest swap of parts I have done on any of our Volvos.
Bacchus258
I'm surprised you got as far as you did! Smoke smell is so hard to remove. Post covid has made it easier to sell smoky cars since people lost their sense of smell. I've had a few smoker cars in my day and generally I don't mind, but sometimes it's so bad it bothers my throat just driving in them for a little bit. I smoke pipe and cigars sometimes, but cigarette is just a harsher smoke it seems to me.
Good solution. My first reaction was to suggest leather cleaner and conditioner. I am impressed that you were able to get the smell out of seats, carpet and headliner.
This reminds me of our second house purchased from two heavy smokers. All of the carpet had to be removed as did the linoleum. The textured ceiling sucked up 2 coats of paint before the smell disappeared. And all walls, trim and cabinets needed paint. However under all that smelly carpet was pristine white oak flooring.
Enjoy the XC90!
This reminds me of our second house purchased from two heavy smokers. All of the carpet had to be removed as did the linoleum. The textured ceiling sucked up 2 coats of paint before the smell disappeared. And all walls, trim and cabinets needed paint. However under all that smelly carpet was pristine white oak flooring.
Enjoy the XC90!
Impressive. The leather they use on the steering wheels is almost porous and will absorb anything. Grease from hands, smoke smell etc. I have to clean my hands really well before touching it. It's crazy. If this was an Inscription or something I am not sure if it would have even been possible. Good job!
Congrats on the success.
I'm not sure where your located, but usually the smell will return with higher interior ambient temps etc. so don't be too surprised if/when you notice it again.
I'm not sure where your located, but usually the smell will return with higher interior ambient temps etc. so don't be too surprised if/when you notice it again.
I’m sure that the smell will come up every now and again but it is so much better. I swear we were going to get emphysema just by riding in it.
We also bought a smokers house years ago and had to remove all carpet, popcorn ceiling, and prime everything with Killz to get it out. Every once in a while you would smell the smoke though.
My wife loves the car and that’s really the important part. She was driving a 2008 XC90 before this one. I am not a fan of the SPA platform and prefer the P2 and P3 as a DIY mechanic for sure.
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We also bought a smokers house years ago and had to remove all carpet, popcorn ceiling, and prime everything with Killz to get it out. Every once in a while you would smell the smoke though.
My wife loves the car and that’s really the important part. She was driving a 2008 XC90 before this one. I am not a fan of the SPA platform and prefer the P2 and P3 as a DIY mechanic for sure.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Man, you guys are nuts. Maybe a good deal, but I would never touch a smoker's car. Nice work getting it cleaned up though! Steering wheel is tough I'm sure.
I used to smoke. I would never buy an ex-smoker's vehicle. After I stopped smoking for like 2 years in my car I hit a bump that I did not see and there was so much ash that dropped from the steering column the car started smelling like old cigarettes for like 2 months straight. The thing that I hated the most was all the stains and burn marks all over the place. I sympathize with smokers but I am firm...not in the car.
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