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mothball smell in my car...??

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Old Nov 19, 2003 | 05:44 PM
  #1  
Z dude's Avatar
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From: ME.
Car: 1991 Z-28
Engine: TPI
Transmission: 5-speed Rear:3.73
mothball smell in my car...??

When I bought my car the guy had it stored with mothballs in the interior,and now even a quick 5 minute ride in the car and I smell like a damn mothball !!
what can I do to get the smell out? The mothballs have been out of the car for months but it still smells real strong
I've bought a million dollars in different air fresheners but nothing works....any info is much appriciated
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Old Nov 19, 2003 | 09:17 PM
  #2  
Ward's Avatar
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From: Rowlett, TX
Car: 1988 GTA
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt, 3.45
Maybe try soaking the interior in febreeze? That stuff works wonders. My car got rained in once, and it smelled like mildew afterwards. I soaked the carpet, seats, door panels, and headliner with febreeze and it went away :P
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Old Nov 19, 2003 | 09:37 PM
  #3  
5SIZ's Avatar
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From: Tucson
Car: 1987 IROC-Z
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T5
if febreeze can get rid of my brothers smelly feet smell from the sofa, then it will work for your car

Oh and are ya positive there all out, maybe some of the mothballs got into some hidden spots???
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Old Nov 20, 2003 | 12:44 AM
  #4  
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From: Maryland...DO I HAVE TO ADMIT TO THAT?!
Car: 1991 Chevy Camaro RS
Engine: 283
Transmission: 700r4 Auto
Originally posted by Ward
Maybe try soaking the interior in febreeze? That stuff works wonders.
id suggest that too..if all else fails,try getting that interior one stuff by turtle wax & cleaning everything good,doesnt smell bad & gets rid of all odors,worth a shot
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Old Nov 20, 2003 | 12:46 AM
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From: Maryland...DO I HAVE TO ADMIT TO THAT?!
Car: 1991 Chevy Camaro RS
Engine: 283
Transmission: 700r4 Auto
also maybe try dryer towels(sheets) their surpose to keep bugs out or something i seen on a post along time ago when i first joined
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Old Nov 20, 2003 | 05:37 PM
  #6  
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From: Florida
Car: 87 IROC-Z, 82 Pace Car
I've had my car for 3.5 years and the smell is still there. My car only gets driven on nice days and sits in the garage with the windows down and ttops out. 3.5 years and the mothball smell is still there.

The only thing I can think to do, is pretend your interested in buying one of those ozone ionization air filter systems. They cost a lot ($500-$600). Tell the salesman you'd like to try it for 3 days before investing that kind of money. Put it in the car and let it work. If it works, let me know.

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Old Nov 20, 2003 | 06:46 PM
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From: Maryland...DO I HAVE TO ADMIT TO THAT?!
Car: 1991 Chevy Camaro RS
Engine: 283
Transmission: 700r4 Auto
Originally posted by scottmoyer
The only thing I can think to do, is pretend your interested in buying one of those ozone ionization air filter systems. They cost a lot ($500-$600). Tell the salesman you'd like to try it for 3 days before investing that kind of money. Put it in the car and let it work. If it works, let me know.

lol that is a pretty smart idea,atleast if it doesnt work you wont be out any money
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Old Nov 20, 2003 | 11:36 PM
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Car: 89 GTA
Engine: L98
I've used that exact air filter thingy, and it works wonders.
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Old Nov 21, 2003 | 07:10 AM
  #9  
Z dude's Avatar
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From: ME.
Car: 1991 Z-28
Engine: TPI
Transmission: 5-speed Rear:3.73
well I think thats one of my problems .....the car sits alot with the windows up and I dont drive it but on nice days and with hunting season here Ive put 170 miles on the car in 2 months If I drove it more it would probably help,and the filter thing sounds like an idea lol
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Old Nov 22, 2003 | 12:19 AM
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From: Southwest Chicago 'burbs
when the car sits, try leaving a couple open boxes of baking soda in it. It's supposed to obsorb both moisture and smells. My buddy does that to store his 25,000 mile IROC while he's away at the military academy. Seems to work pretty good so far (~1.5 years)
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Old Jun 25, 2017 | 12:33 PM
  #11  
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Re: mothball smell in my car...??

Originally Posted by Z dude
When I bought my car the guy had it stored with mothballs in the interior,and now even a quick 5 minute ride in the car and I smell like a damn mothball !!
what can I do to get the smell out? The mothballs have been out of the car for months but it still smells real strong
I've bought a million dollars in different air fresheners but nothing works....any info is much appriciated

The best thing for actually getting rid of odors that I have ever found--even gets rid of cigarette odor in a car and fish and bacon odor in a house--is a Lampe Berger. You will need to purchase a "lampe" and a bottle of "fuel." Simple follow the directions to set it up. Once you have snuffed the flame, place the lampe in your car with the windows up and let it do its thing for an hour or so. it may not take that long, but what the heck--you want to get rid of the odor. You can purchase fragrance-free fuel, or you can select whatever you want. If that doesn't do it, nothing will. The lampe was designed by a guy to remove odors from a mortuary. It is very effective. Don't go cheap and try one of the imitation products. Use the real stuff.
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Old Jun 25, 2017 | 02:19 PM
  #12  
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From: Lincoln, NE.
Car: '87 IROC
Engine: 5.7 Vortec w/ factory TPI
Transmission: WC T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.45 Posi
Re: mothball smell in my car...??

I use a product called Ozium and it has always worked for me. Took the mouse urine smell out of my iroc with a few treatments. Comes in a spray and a gel can and can be found at WalMart, auto parts stores, big box retailers, online, so pretty much anywhere.

Another option is to have the car treated by a professional detailer. We use a local guy who has this big smoke gun looking thing and he'll fill the car up with this fog stuff. Leave the doors and windows shut until the fog dissipates and it's good to go. Dealerships use them all the time o the used lots.

I have also been told to leave charcoal birquetts on a tinfoil pan in the car with the windows up for a few days and it will do the trick too.
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Old Jun 25, 2017 | 03:18 PM
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From: Newtown, CT
Car: 1987 IROC Original Owner
Engine: LB9
Transmission: M39 MM5
Axle/Gears: G80 G92 J65
Re: mothball smell in my car...??

An ozone generator is the only thing that's going to get the smell out - it attacks odors on a molecular level & seeps into every soft surface item completely.

I have a small commercial unit I've been using for 3 years now on everything from rehab project houses, our summer house out on Cape Cod, my own basement & garage and even the cars. Will kill mold spores, mice even dogs & cats if left in a confined space so you need to be careful where/when you use it.

There are inexpensive ones on e-bay you can buy - worth a shot.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...rator&_sacat=0
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Old Jun 25, 2017 | 11:05 PM
  #14  
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From: Tracy, CA
Car: '87 IROC
Engine: LB9
Transmission: TH700R4
Re: mothball smell in my car...??

Originally Posted by PurelyPMD
An ozone generator is the only thing that's going to get the smell out - it attacks odors on a molecular level & seeps into every soft surface item completely.

I have a small commercial unit I've been using for 3 years now on everything from rehab project houses, our summer house out on Cape Cod, my own basement & garage and even the cars. Will kill mold spores, mice even dogs & cats if left in a confined space so you need to be careful where/when you use it.

There are inexpensive ones on e-bay you can buy - worth a shot.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...rator&_sacat=0
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