"Old car Smell" Help

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wes beem

wes beem

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Hey guys, so I've been restoring my 1970 dart, pretty much everything in the car is new down to the carpet headliner and door panels. But after installing a set of Vintage seats in the car it now has that dreaded musty "old car smell" also known as "The Army Navy Store Smell" Any idea how i can get rid of this smell without having to have the seats completely reupholstered? they are in 100% undamaged condition and other than the smell they're as good as new.
 
Ozium, Its a spray that neutralizes odors. Or use a mildew remover on the seats : 10:1 parts water and bleach. Test on a hidden piece first. Will smell like a clean bathroom for a few days but it passes. Other option is (acidic) straight apple cider vinegar. Smells like feet, worse than bleach!
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Mine still smells new after 4.5 years back on the road. I did “completely” redo all the seats and all. Stop smoking as well.
 
My buddy had a 63 '300' that had a white vinyl interior. It was gross, gray mold everywhere. He spent an afternoon on it with Tilex and the next day it was sparkling white, not a mold spec in sight but it smelled like the said bathroom for a week. That car was cool: 383, 9.25 rear, Street star rims on wide tires and it was green....brakes sucked ***. finally let a head gasket go.
 
wes beem said:
Hey guys, so I've been restoring my 1970 dart, pretty much everything in the car is new down to the carpet headliner and door panels. But after installing a set of Vintage seats in the car it now has that dreaded musty "old car smell" also known as "The Army Navy Store Smell" Any idea how i can get rid of this smell without having to have the seats completely reupholstered? they are in 100% undamaged condition and other than the smell they're as good as new.
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Fart every time that you get in it...
 
I have a ozone generator that plugs into the cigarette lighter. It works pretty good. If I leave it on overnight or the weekend I hook up the trickle charger.
 
Pull covers off and replace all the jute, foam etc.
If the underside of the covers is musty you could try some of the products mentioned above
 
You have to replace the burlap and everything on the front and all the rear and batting. Otherwise That smell will stay.
 
I use to own a vintage 67 911S. (Germany imported race car) Anyone who has ever delt with old Porsche's knows they have a certain smell. (Horse hair, burnt oil and sweat) Every time i get the chance i stick my head in and enjoy the scent of a vintage porsche.

Sounds like a gross smell but its really not.
Its just right for a vintage race car!
 
I ordered the legendary foam/cotton kit for the back seat of my barracuda. I could be getting a little from the front buckets too. Back seat is out but tuna time calls.
 
Sounds like all i can do is get a little pine tree for my mirror and hope for the best then...lol
 
wes beem said:
Sounds like all i can do is get a little pine tree for my mirror and hope for the best then...lol
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It won’t hurt if you like the forest.

Seriously the only way is to replace it all. And if the wire interweave in the burlap is toast and rusted out or some it, then walk down the road and pull those flag deals to mark utilities, best thing I have found yet for size and close to original in stiffness.
 
Ozium works great for smells if it can come in contact with what is smelling. I took a can & taped the sprayer on, closed the doors and let it sit for a day.

Also bought a $100 ozinator off amazon. If both of those don’t do it, then no idea.
 
Just keep in mind that ozone in high concentrations is very hazardous to your health. Observe all safety precautions. I have a warning written on mine with a marker so anyone else who might get ahold of it would know.
 
Mike69cuda said:
Just keep in mind that ozone in high concentrations is very hazardous to your health. Observe all safety precautions. I have a warning written on mine with a marker so anyone else who might get ahold of it would know.
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Good you brought that up. I get a headache from too many green tree air fresheners. Many dealerships use ozone generators to remove smoke odors from used car interiors. They close the machine into the car with the windows cracked for a few hours to overnight. Then open the windows and let the ozone air out for a while.
 
I hate it when my wife says I HAVE that old car smell.!

I just tell her that is how us old people just smell like!!! Have another beer honey!!!
 
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