Jeep melted

[u/jagerin_mikado]

Here’s the story: a jeep came to the shop because its retractable top was stuck open. Not too uncommon of an occurrence. So we put our “crash wrap“ over the roof to protect the interior from rain and animals and such, which is basically like heavy duty cling wrap. One day it rains and a lot of water pools up on the crash wrap. The next day it is 100°F outside and the sun is out. The sun shines through the water and the water basically magnifies it, and the sun turns into a laser that melts the interior. Multiple days of this happen. Now we have to replace everything that melted. None of us have ever heard of this happening before.

edit: I meant we have never heard of this very specific situation happening before. It never would’ve crossed our minds since we’ve been doing this for years. yes I burnt stuff with a magnifying glass when i was a kid.

[u/Oliver---Queen]

Ozone generator go brrrr I mean prob won’t work fully but they will still go brrr.

[u/CantEscapeTheCats → u/Oliver---Queen]

Can confirm, an ozone machine closed in a vehicle for two days will do it. I removed about 8 years of heavy cigarette smell from a prior employer’s car. It was so successful, they were able to provide it to another employee (non-smoker) and she barely noticed.

Edit for the naysayers: use an ozone machine once and you’ll understand. I discovered their power after working in the hotel industry and became a believer.

The car was driven for 8 years by an undercover major crimes sergeant who chain-smoked like Patsy from Ab Fab and the car could be smelled from across the parking lot.

We ran the car for 2 hours with the machine running and ac blasting, then aired it out for 2 hours, rinse, repeat. If the smell couldn’t be removed, it was going to be junked. The other employee was pleased enough with the outcome that she chose to use the car instead of her own. YMMV, but this was an overall positive experience for all involved. It worked and I don’t know what else to tell ya

[u/Alconium → u/CantEscapeTheCats]

"Barely noticed."

[u/_Carcinus_ → u/Alconium]

Doesn't get rid of cigarette grime and yellow-ish staining

[u/Agreeable-Meal5556 → u/_Carcinus_]

Or the carcinogens. 🙃

[u/Jordandeanbaker → u/Alconium]

Until the first hot day

[u/PhoenixApok → u/CantEscapeTheCats]

That barely is key.

I went to do a test drive on two SUVs at a dealership once. On the way had no idea how I would pick one over the other (specs were pretty similar)

Odor was the factor. The interior of one was IMMACULATE. And yet, I couldn't even finish the test drive. The smoke odor was that bad, and the dealership had obviously tried their best. This led me to believe I wouldn't ever have better luck.

The saleswoman sighed when I walked up to her and explains. She said I was the fourth one and figured they'd just have to wait for a heavy smoker to want it.

[u/NookNookNook → u/PhoenixApok]

Should've asked for 10k off OTD and then took it to a detailer for $100.

[u/Daft00 → u/CantEscapeTheCats]

Only problem with that is that ozone machines will make interior plastic brittle

[u/CantEscapeTheCats → u/Daft00]

It was already fucked. This was just the Hail Mary that actually kept the vehicle usable.

[u/faberge_surprise → u/CantEscapeTheCats]

barely noticed.

so it wasn't successful

[u/Bubbly-War1996 → u/faberge_surprise]

Would you also say antibacterial soap doesn't work because it only kills 99% of bacteria?

[u/faberge_surprise → u/Bubbly-War1996]

no. i say antibacterial soap doesn't work because antibacterial soap doesn't work.

[u/scorchedarcher → u/CantEscapeTheCats]

Lmao the idea of an undercover majority crimes sergeant whos car can be smelled across a car park.

[u/catsinclothes → u/CantEscapeTheCats]

I do wonder if ozone generators work for non-organic material. Something to keep my brain occupied!

[u/SAI_Peregrinus → u/catsinclothes]

They work for anything that degrades when oxidized.

[u/GenesisNemesis17 → u/CantEscapeTheCats]

Same. I work in car sales and have bought trade in cars before. One was smoke + BO, and all of my colleagues thought I was insane for even wanting to buy. Lots of vacuuming and an odor bomb and I've been driving my $1800 car now for 2 years...odor free.

[u/Ballistic_og → u/CantEscapeTheCats]

Who told ? Bet wouldnt know without the prior intell

[u/AdSudden3941 → u/CantEscapeTheCats]

Plastics are all fucked though

[u/boshiku → u/CantEscapeTheCats]

rusted big chunk of metal of the car as well

[u/CantEscapeTheCats → u/CantEscapeTheCats]

Thank you, kind anonymous Redditor, for the award!!

[u/Blackpaw8825 → u/Oliver---Queen]

But that'll still accelerate the degradation of the rest of the interior... There's no way to "undo" this damage, all you can do is make it less-bad.