Deodorizing the cab

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by GreenMonster9669, May 31, 2015.

  1. GreenMonster9669

    GreenMonster9669 Medium Load Member

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    I've been assigned a new (to me) tractor and as soon as I opened the door to check it out I could tell that the previous driver had been a smoker. I'm going to swap out bunk mattresses and I'm looking for other suggestions on deodorizing the cab. I'm NOT looking for an air freshener or something that will cover the smell with pine, flowers, dirty underwear etc. I want to get rid of it.
     
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  3. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    I have had good luck with the following:
    1) soak ALL surfaces with window cleaner, like Windex. If it is in truck SOAK it.
    2) wipe down all hard surfaces like windows, dash, floors
    3) SOAK ALL surfaces (windows, dash, floors, headliner, EVERYTHING) with Fabreeze
    4) Clean the windows with window cleaner.

    This works but you MUST clean every surface and cover every surface with Fabreeze.
     
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  4. camionneur

    camionneur Road Train Member

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    How do you soak a vertical surface? I don't know, how about incence (unscented... oh that reminds me of deodorant, you did say deodorize, right, try the roll on).
     
  5. redoctober83

    redoctober83 Road Train Member

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    Exactly what he said. By the time you're done, you'll wish you bought stock in fabreeze. Also, change out the cab air filter for your HVAC in the truck and if it's got an apu, change the air filter on that one as well. Worst thing is you get the truck all cleaned up and you then the ac on to get a face full of cigarette smoke out of the vents.
     
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  6. dca

    dca Road Train Member

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    Thats unfortunate . Wash everything top to bottom and deoderize. Repeat as necessary if needed. Curtains too..

    The degreaser Citrol smells ok in use and doesn't last with its oder. It removes gum, tree sap, asphalt, glues etc its not do it all product but works ok for me..I've used soap, water, a brush and wet and dry vac to clean fabric or carpet. Good luck !
     
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  7. Indiana RED

    Indiana RED Light Load Member

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    Amonia will work but you have to let the truck air out for awhile after you wipe everything down with it after you air it out spray with lysol this is what i have my Soldiers do to our vehicles and it works
     
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  8. RustyBolt

    RustyBolt Road Train Member

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    If that truck was driven for very many miles by a smoker, you're not gonna be happy. You can scrub and scrub again. But that smell will always be there. It's in the ventilation system where you can't clean. If you can remove one of the vent grills, reach back in there with a paper towel. When you pull it out, it'll be covered in black soot. The entire ventilation system is coated in it. And it will reek of old smoke. Good luck to ya!
     
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  9. MidwestResident

    MidwestResident Road Train Member

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    Would it be possible to steam clean the ventilation system?
     
  10. Solo_Seat

    Solo_Seat Medium Load Member

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    There are sprays out there that do nothing but remove smoke odor from surfaces and vents. Call a local car dealership and see who they use to remove smoke odor from used cars.
     
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  11. stevez57305

    stevez57305 Medium Load Member

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    Im a smoker and i hate the smell. ( look at the kettle calling the pot black.) Clean you truck as normal dont use protectant at this time just cleaners and wipe down with cleaning or lysol wipes. You can dispose of smelly stained wipes instead of a rag you are going to keep using and keep windows open as much as possible when your air is on run fresh air instead of recirculating for a while it will help blow alot of the odor out of vents. Make sure to clean or replace cabin bunk and apu filters. Get some spray called ozium out of auto parts or truck stops it works. If seats are cloth your gonna need to give a little scrub AND VACUUM. Otherwise your just gonna just get a moldy cigarette smell. After you have weakened smell start recirculating air to see if smell if still present. If its been yrs of smoking it will take a week or 2 to get smell out. But you should be happy with results. Just my 0.98 you keep the .02.
     
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