Well, some of you might have read my post on the "Coaches for Sale" forum regarding my Mojave based encounter with Terry Belote's Barth. I got a big kick over the story line that followed and must say that timnlana's writings had hints of Tom Robbins' story; "Still Life With Woodpecker".

Well, let me get to the reason of my second post. I have found a 28 Breakaway here on the west coast that has been stored inside it's whole life and has VERY low miles and is in just super shape. . . but . . . the previous owner (husband) was a smoker and the cigarette smell is embedded deeply in the walls and fabrics and I find it quite offensive. If I can't get rid of it . . . well, I am not sure I want the coach. Anyone out there have experience with sure-fire methods of getting walls, roof and fabrics cleaned of cigarette stink? This is one nice Barth, Identical to Larry Burrows '91 listed on this site, and reasonable in price also. Help! Any ideas appreciated and proven methods earn koodos galore . . . and thanks Terry Belote, I have new passion.

P.S. I haven't purposely been ignoring folks here after my one and only post, I've had a rough month; consumed with making certain my elderly mother was getting the best of care during her last days. LV was where we were headed when we saw the Barth in Mojave.

You might try a Bissel Little Green Machine upolstery machine. If the carpet is bad, I'd rip it out and use it for a pattern for new carpet. I use Castrol Super Clean (Walmart's Auto Section) to remove all kinds of crud including smoke on walls. I even use Super Clean in my Little Green Machine. Good Luck

Suggest you try "Febreze". I helped a friend get longtime imbedded CIGAR smoke and residuals out of clothes. It took a couple of uses but it worked. I just looked at the info a bottle I have and it should be usable for your purpose. For sure worth a try. Especially if the MH is as nice as you consider it to be. Good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by Carl:
Well, some of you might have read my post on the "Coaches for Sale" forum regarding my Mojave based encounter with Terry Belote's Barth. I got a big kick over the story line that followed and must say that timnlana's writings had hints of Tom Robbins' story; "Still Life With Woodpecker".

Well, let me get to the reason of my second post. I have found a 28 Breakaway here on the west coast that has been stored inside it's whole life and has VERY low miles and is in just super shape. . . but . . . the previous owner (husband) was a smoker and the cigarette smell is embedded deeply in the walls and fabrics and I find it quite offensive. If I can't get rid of it . . . well, I am not sure I want the coach. Anyone out there have experience with sure-fire methods of getting walls, roof and fabrics cleaned of cigarette stink? This is one nice Barth, Identical to Larry Burrows '91 listed on this site, and reasonable in price also. Help! Any ideas appreciated and proven methods earn koodos galore . . . and thanks Terry Belote, I have new passion.

P.S. I haven't purposely been ignoring folks here after my one and only post, I've had a rough month; consumed with making certain my elderly mother was getting the best of care during her last days. LV was where we were headed when we saw the Barth in Mojave.

Use an ionizer, such as this:
http://store.yahoo.com/the-health-store/sprinionfres.html
Use an ionizer aka ozonator BEFORE you apply any topical process or cleaner like Fabreeze the Bissel. Ozone will go where the smoke went -- into appliances, porus wood, fabrics, etc. It will need to run on high for quite a while without people in the coach. You might be able to rent a heavy duty one from a place like Steamatic, ServPro or Servicemaster.
I am in the insurance claims business (but one of 260 recently laid off) and have considerable experience with good results using these devices.

quote:

Originally posted by EddieChevalier:
You might try a Bissel Little Green Machine upolstery machine. If the carpet is bad, I'd rip it out and use it for a pattern for new carpet. I use Castrol Super Clean (Walmart's Auto Section) to remove all kinds of crud including smoke on walls. I even use Super Clean in my Little Green Machine. Good Luck

If you rent a carpet shampooer they usually have a deoderiser additive available. I think one of the big problems with smoke in cars is contaminating all of the heater and airconditioning ducts. But with the coach we probably don't use the dash air that much or the dash heater either because we usually aren't traveling much in the winter.

I ditto the Fabreeze and I would wash all hard surfaces with something like Murphy's oil soap, ceiling and all. Then of course all of the upholstery carpets. I bet you can do a pretty good job!! It will be a challenge and if you are like me, (an ex-smoker) you will probable never get it all out of there. Oh, sneak into your neighbors yard and steal a ton of Lilacs and put them in there. Mine were wonderful today...

------------------

sorry I just notice, Sacramento, no lilacs.

quote:

Originally posted by davebowers:
sorry I just notice, Sacramento, no lilacs.

You're right about the scarcity of lilacs but we do have the northern pike (introduced to Lake Davis some 3 years ago).

I appreciate the replies and I think you guys just might push me over the edge to where I make him an offer.

http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page93a.html

We had an unfortunate incident with a civet cat, and this did the job.

Maybe not applicable here, but I shampooed all fabrics and Murphy soaped all the woodwork (incl. interior of cabinets).....

Just before closing up unit for the winter, I cut-up 6 bars of Irish Spring soap into 1" cubes and placed them all over the coach on saucers - inside drawers, cabinets, etc.

This spring, I had a lovely fresh smell that's be holding-up well even with use and fresh air......it seemed to permeate into the wood & fabric.......

Hi Carl:

Should you decide to take a pass on this coach, I hope you'll tell all about it just in case we might have a interest in purchasing it. Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by Carl:
Well, some of you might have read my post on the "Coaches for Sale" forum regarding my Mojave based encounter with Terry Belote's Barth. I got a big kick over the story line that followed and must say that timnlana's writings had hints of Tom Robbins' story; "Still Life With Woodpecker".

Well, let me get to the reason of my second post. I have found a 28 Breakaway here on the west coast that has been stored inside it's whole life and has VERY low miles and is in just super shape. . . but . . . the previous owner (husband) was a smoker and the cigarette smell is embedded deeply in the walls and fabrics and I find it quite offensive. If I can't get rid of it . . . well, I am not sure I want the coach. Anyone out there have experience with sure-fire methods of getting walls, roof and fabrics cleaned of cigarette stink? This is one nice Barth, Identical to Larry Burrows '91 listed on this site, and reasonable in price also. Help! Any ideas appreciated and proven methods earn koodos galore . . . and thanks Terry Belote, I have new passion.

P.S. I haven't purposely been ignoring folks here after my one and only post, I've had a rough month; consumed with making certain my elderly mother was getting the best of care during her last days. LV was where we were headed when we saw the Barth in Mojave.

Quote:
I got a big kick over the story line that followed and must say that timnlana's writings had hints of Tom Robbins' story; "Still Life With Woodpecker".

Carl:
Tom Robbins is the consummate, living, wordsmith; thanks. We try to live something closer to Jitterbug Perfume rather than Still Life, the Christ story, a good story nonetheless.

Ah cigareets a subject I am sadly far too familiar with; the suggestions including the Ionizer , Murphy wood and pet smell remover products are inspired, good luck.

[This message has been edited by timnlana (edited June 03, 2004).]

Ionizers can deteriorate rubber and some plastics.

I fought fire for thirty years for the Seattle Fire Department. After a fire we would try and clean up the fire damage and clean the dishes and windows to make a little nicer for the fire victims to try and get back into their homes. One of the things we did was to use a deoderant that was worst than the smell of the fire. I think that a good cleaning with soap and water would do wonders for cigarette smoke.