[Paladin]

NOTE: This review is my honest opinion of a product I actually use on my own vehicle. I am in no way, shape or form compensated for it.

A few weeks ago I bought a pre-owned 2015 Chevy Silverado. The truck was a single-owner leased vehicle in great shape with low mileage.

The only down side is the leasee was likely a smoker as there was a noticeable cigarette smell in the cab despite the dealer’s efforts to clean it.

I initially sprayed the cab with Fabreeze which helped for a few days but then the smell began to come back probably trough the vents where the Fabreeze could not get to.

I then found Meguiar's® Whole Car Air Re-Fresher (New car scent) and decided to try that. For the record while it does have a scent, it in no way smells like a new car. I chose it because the other choices are Citrus Grove and Summer Breeze neither of which appealed to me.

Using it was very simple.

Before using the product, thoroughly vacuum the vehicle and clean the upholstery. Remove any source of unwanted odor and park the vehicle in a shaded area.

1. Make sure all the windows are fully close.

2. Start the vehicle with the fan set on high circulating cold air.

3. With the nozzle facing away from you activate the locking trigger.

4. Place the can in the center of the car on the floor between the front and back seats.

5. Close the doors and leave undisturbed for 15 minutes.

6. After 15 minutes the can will be empty.

7. Open all the doors and shut off the vehicle and let it air out for 10-15 minutes.


For a day or two there will be a scent from the re-fresher that some find strong. In about 4 or 5 days this will fade.

Topical odor neutralizers like Fabreeze and Ozium only reaches physically accessible areas. By “bombing” your interior with the Meguiar's® product, the neutralizer gets in every nook and cranny of the cab including the ventilation system where topical products cannot get to.

It has now been over two weeks and still my truck no longer has the disgusting cigarette smell. Before anyone argues that I just became accustom to it, I have had other people sit in the cab and they have all said they do not smell any odors at all.

At under $7 on-line or at a local retailer (I got mine at AAP), it is an effective product and far cheaper than paying for a professional detailer.

 

[Jake2250]

What did it do to the windows and windshield? Did it leave a film? What does it do to leather?

 

[JackE]

I used a similar product, it might even be Meguiar's product, that you spray into the outside air intake for the vent system while the vehicle is running and the air on full. This one had a very distinct smell for about a week, but soon was gone. Even in the hot summer sun with the windows up, the foul odor that was present in my Suburban has not come back. I used about a 1/4 of the can into the rear A/C intake, the rest in the front. I don't remember it leaving a film on the leather, or windows. I have used this type of product for years. It does well with removing smoker smells, sour milk smell, wet dog smell, even heavy cat smell. Every used car I buy gets a shot of this before my odor sensitive wife takes a long drive in it!

 

[Paladin]

What did it do to the windows and windshield? Did it leave a film? What does it do to leather?

There was no residue on the windshield, dash or upholstery. I am not sure how it would work with leather. I suggest you email Mequiars, I am sure someone there can give you a definitive on using it on leather.