Stinky Outside of Vinyl Fender Bass Case

[thisisnickpaige]

So i just got a new bass and a new guitar; there will come a NBD/NGD soon.

Traditionally with a chain smoker its the inside of the case and the instrument. Thankfully the bass and the inside of the case smell fine. The outside, however, smells awful. The cigarette smell that radiates from it fills the room its in after being in there for only a few hours.

I know the traditional put something inside of the case for a while, like cat liter, baking soda, or charcoal briquets; but as for the outside, how on earth do i do that? Do they make an automotive vinyl cleaner, maybe? How have y'all taken care of this?

My first thought was to tape up some garbage bags and do the same as the inside tricks but in the 'sealed environment'. Thoughts?

A link to the same case: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender/Must ... Type%5EPLA

[mcjt]

When i worked in a guitar shop in the 80's (jeez, i'm old), we used Armor All to clean vinyl cases.
Good luck--

[Embenny]

I've never seen someone get rid of cigarette smell to the point that I would be satisfied. It's the type of thing that permeates a material, it can't just be washed off. We had a relative pass away recently who was a heavy smoker, and there were many of her belongings that we simply couldn't keep due to the smell. There wasn't a single item that we succeeded in airing out/cleaning/what have you. Only the things that hadn't absorbed the smell in the first place were salvageable.

If it's not a vintage case, I'd honestly just replace it. But I consider cigarette smoke one of the most vile smells out there, so my threshold for success might be different.

[thisisnickpaige]

When i worked in a guitar shop in the 80's (jeez, i'm old), we used Armor All to clean vinyl cases.
Good luck--

I'll have to snag some Armor All, that was what I was leaning to, something automotive. Thanks for the tip. Dude, tell me about it with the gettin old! I got knocked by a 16yr old because I was driving at the time an, ' old car ', and I was like, " Dude, it's not old, it's a 99! ", and he goes, " yeah, that's like 20yrs old! "

I've never seen someone get rid of cigarette smell to the point that I would be satisfied. ...so my threshold for success might be different.

Is that a challenge?

Nah, but I hear ya. It ain't easy to remove but this case came with the bass, and a new one is more than free. So, it's worth a go in my book. We'll see how much I can remove, and if it meets my threshold.

[thisisnickpaige]

Any other ideas from the peanut gallery?

[crankheart]

I work for a chemical manufacturer and we make a few enzyme cleaners for companies who restore vintage cars to use on fabrics and other materials for this purpose. Should be worth giving one a try.

[higgsblossom]

Enzyme cleaners might be a good way to clean my wife's Twin Reverb which has the smell of an ashtray, combined with a nuance of mold. Thanks for the hint!

[NoiseNoiseNoise]

A solution of biological washing powder or liquid to wash it down (like I use for getting rid of cat and dog pee smells)? It has to be the bio, and you'll need to rinse it off very thoroughly.
Just a thought.

[thisisnickpaige]

Crankheart, sent you a PM about the specifics.

A solution of biological washing powder or liquid to wash it down...?

Wouldn't that potentially harm or warp the wood, and vinyl?

[sears]

This might not be helpful but it will disappear in time. If you really like the instrument how about a stopgap and you can keep the case somewhere? Or sell the case? My Precision and case reeked of smoke. This was back when it was more acceptable but I still hated it. I was young and it was a good bass so I just put up with it. After 3-4 years the smell was gone.

[NoiseNoiseNoise]

Crankheart, sent you a PM about the specifics.

A solution of biological washing powder or liquid to wash it down...?

Wouldn't that potentially harm or warp the wood, and vinyl?

Not if you put it in a spray bottle and use it sparingly. It may take a few applications, but it will get rid of the smell faster than airing it.

[thisisnickpaige]

Update:

I stopped by my mom's to use her natural enzyme cleaner for the dog's leftovers. I did one round of it so far, and the odor is seriously depleted. I left it in an open room so i can't say it's totally gone but it's curbed. I'll do another bath tomorrow.

[mcjt]

WOOHOO!

[Embenny]

Update:

I stopped by my mom's to use her natural enzyme cleaner for the dog's leftovers. I did one round of it so far, and the odor is seriously depleted. I left it in an open room so i can't say it's totally gone but it's curbed. I'll do another bath tomorrow.

I'm very interested to know which product this was, and whether the smell ends up truly being gone. I'll be very impressed if that's the case!

[thisisnickpaige]

Well let's be honest, it will never be truly gone. I don't care if it smells like it close up. But when i have it in a room and the rooms smells like cigarette tar, that is not gunna work. I'll keep you updated.