How to Remove Cigarette Smoke at DVinfo.net

Lloyd Ubshura · July 9th, 2010, 05:18 PM

Just bought a used Sony EX1 online. Everything's great except it reeeeeeks of cigarette smoke. I feel like hosing it down with a firehose, but I suppose that wouldn't be very good for it.

Any suggestions on getting rid of the smoke? I have a ozonator, but don't want to kill the camera.

Allan Black · July 9th, 2010, 05:35 PM

A mate had this problem with his used BMW no one would ride it in till he got rid of it. Cheers.

How To Remove Cigarette Odor: Car & Home Smoke Removal

Bill Davis · July 9th, 2010, 09:48 PM

Once bought a used pickup truck for household hauling.

Same deal. The previous owner was clearly a heavy smoker. Had it about 4 years and NEVER was able to get the stench out of it.

Eventually gave it away.

With a video camera, the issue is that you've got a closed shell with a zillion microscopic spaces inside between all the moving parts and transport gears.

I doubt you'll ever get all the smell out.

Airborn tobacco smoke is pervasive and the tars and other compounds are amazingly sticky. That's precisely why it takes so long to get them out of lungs after someone stops smoking. New cells have to replace the old cuz you can't get the stuff off the old ones.

Sorry there's not better news.

Bill Thesken · July 10th, 2010, 10:52 AM

An ozone generator could eliminate the smell. It's used to get rid of the smell after floods and fires in homes. It pops the smell molecule completely eliminating it. Check with a camera manufacturer first.
You could place the camera in a home being treated. It's kind of like a termite tenting for smells.

How Does Ozone Remove Odor? : Ozone Journal

Vic Owen · July 10th, 2010, 02:37 PM

On one of the ham radio forums, I've seen suggestions to pack some fabric softener sheets, such as you'd use in a dryer, into various nooks & crannies. Then, seal it up in a plastic bag for a few days. A lot of older radios have lived much of their lives in smokey environments, and this reportedly alleviates at least some of the problem. Here's the link:

Cigarette smoke elimination - QRZ Forums

I haven't tried it, but it seems like a low cost effort that wouldn't damage the camera.

Dave Blackhurst · July 11th, 2010, 01:56 PM

A wipedown with a towel misted with Febreeze might reduce the outside surface contamination, often theres a layer of "yuck" that builds up on exposed surfaces - be careful nto to let liquid get inside of course, and I'd skip the lens unless you use regular lens cleaner. I've used it a couple times on used items that had smoke smell, with good results

Long term smoke exposure is bad, but it can go away over time or more rapidly with some intervention. I've restored a lot of vintage musical instruments, smoke does VERY bad things to lacquer based finishes(meaning THE finish on old and often valuable instruments), but it can be pulled out of the finish with the right treatments, and surprisingly it helps a lot with the stench. I used to call the unique odor "BBC" for beer body odor and cigarette smoke... if you've played in bands in bars, you know the smell...

Wesley Cardone · July 15th, 2010, 10:50 AM

You might try placing a box of Arm-And-Hammer baking power in a closed carrying case with the camera. This is the same principle as you would do with removing bad odors from a refridgerator.

July 9th, 2010, 05:18 PM	#1
Lloyd Ubshura Major Player Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 204	How to Remove Cigarette Smoke Just bought a used Sony EX1 online. Everything's great except it reeeeeeks of cigarette smoke. I feel like hosing it down with a firehose, but I suppose that wouldn't be very good for it. Any suggestions on getting rid of the smoke? I have a ozonator, but don't want to kill the camera.

July 9th, 2010, 05:35 PM	#2
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,887	A mate had this problem with his used BMW no one would ride it in till he got rid of it. Cheers. How To Remove Cigarette Odor: Car & Home Smoke Removal __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

July 9th, 2010, 09:48 PM	#3
Bill Davis Trustee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Posts: 1,538	Once bought a used pickup truck for household hauling. Same deal. The previous owner was clearly a heavy smoker. Had it about 4 years and NEVER was able to get the stench out of it. Eventually gave it away. With a video camera, the issue is that you've got a closed shell with a zillion microscopic spaces inside between all the moving parts and transport gears. I doubt you'll ever get all the smell out. Airborn tobacco smoke is pervasive and the tars and other compounds are amazingly sticky. That's precisely why it takes so long to get them out of lungs after someone stops smoking. New cells have to replace the old cuz you can't get the stuff off the old ones. Sorry there's not better news. __________________ Classroom editing instructor? Check out www.starteditingnow.com Turnkey editor training content including licensed training footage for classroom use.

July 10th, 2010, 02:37 PM	#5
Vic Owen Major Player Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 540	On one of the ham radio forums, I've seen suggestions to pack some fabric softener sheets, such as you'd use in a dryer, into various nooks & crannies. Then, seal it up in a plastic bag for a few days. A lot of older radios have lived much of their lives in smokey environments, and this reportedly alleviates at least some of the problem. Here's the link: Cigarette smoke elimination - QRZ Forums I haven't tried it, but it seems like a low cost effort that wouldn't damage the camera. __________________ -- Vic Owen --

July 15th, 2010, 10:50 AM	#7
Wesley Cardone Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chelsea, Michigan Posts: 104	You might try placing a box of Arm-And-Hammer baking power in a closed carrying case with the camera. This is the same principle as you would do with removing bad odors from a refridgerator. __________________ Wesley Cardone www.WCardoneProductions.com, Detroit and Lansing, Michigan

July 10th, 2010, 10:52 AM	#4
Bill Thesken Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: HI, USA Posts: 622	An ozone generator could eliminate the smell. It's used to get rid of the smell after floods and fires in homes. It pops the smell molecule completely eliminating it. Check with a camera manufacturer first. You could place the camera in a home being treated. It's kind of like a termite tenting for smells. How Does Ozone Remove Odor? : Ozone Journal

July 11th, 2010, 01:56 PM	#6
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	A wipedown with a towel misted with Febreeze might reduce the outside surface contamination, often theres a layer of "yuck" that builds up on exposed surfaces - be careful nto to let liquid get inside of course, and I'd skip the lens unless you use regular lens cleaner. I've used it a couple times on used items that had smoke smell, with good results Long term smoke exposure is bad, but it can go away over time or more rapidly with some intervention. I've restored a lot of vintage musical instruments, smoke does VERY bad things to lacquer based finishes(meaning THE finish on old and often valuable instruments), but it can be pulled out of the finish with the right treatments, and surprisingly it helps a lot with the stench. I used to call the unique odor "BBC" for beer body odor and cigarette smoke... if you've played in bands in bars, you know the smell...