I bought some used leather Recaro seats off ebay, and when I got them, they smelled of cigarette smoke. I installed them. I have tried Meguier's leather conditioner, febreeze, baking soda in a tray under the seats and dryer towel things too left under the seats. I heard Zaino is supposed to be good, but havent found it except online. Anyone have ideas how to get rid of the cigarette smell and have that luscious new leather smell back?

 

i think you might be stuck with it.... not sure

 

Try oxy clean but test a small area of leather first as i'm not sure what it will do to the leather. I smoke but and have leather but i clean and condition my seats regularly, i used the oxy clean on my headliner and it made it like new, but never tried it on seats

 

I am an automotive detailer and have experience with this subject. Your best bet is to find Duragloss 441 leather shampoo. Use this product first to remove any dirt, debris and smell. Next find Four Star Ultimate Leather conditioner (might be only online but a great product to have in your arsonal). Four star is by far the best at bringing back that great leather smell. Once you try it you will never use anything else. Hope this helps

 

This is ghetto but has worked for me, put a cup of white vinegar in your cup holder and let it sit for a day.

 

bump

 

Do these techniques work against mildew smell?

 

Have you actually cleaned the seats? Clean the leather first. Mix 1 part Woolite (the laundry soap) with 10 parts water in a spray bottle. Liberally wet the leather, use a small nylon bristle brush to scrub the seats, then wipe dry with a terry cloth or microfiber towel. I've been cleaning leather this way about 12 years in my full time detailing business and I have yet to find anything more effective.

Odds are though, you will have to remove the leather from the seats and spray a good odor eliminator on the foam inside. Either that, or find a detail shop with an ozone generator that will eliminate all odors.

 

I did clean the seats first and then put on conditioner. I think ur right in that the foam may be the culprit. You said the foam can be purified with an ozone machine? Can I get one? Which ones are effective. Id rather not have to take my seats apart if I can help it. I have been leaving the windows open almost all the time to keep fresh air coming in, especially at night when its nice and cold. What is the best product to make the leather smell new again. I have heard 4 Star and Zaino uses actual leather oils and it smells like real leather.

 

An ozone generator is pretty expensive and requires proper training to use and prevent lethal levels of ozone build-up.

No leather conditioner has a long last scent that would cover up cigarette odor.

 

+1 on the foam

 

An in car hookah will take care of the problem.

 

Hey, my wife turned me on to this stuff called Freshana. The stuff rocked my leather seats. Try it. I think the name of the whole company is called Freshana Organic Solutions.

 

Duragloss 441 leather shampoo would surely remove that awful smell, but it quite expensive and you need to re install the seat before applying the shampoo.