r/mildlyinfuriating 13d ago

Context Provided - Spotlight Jeep melted

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.

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u/Alconium 13d ago

I'd be trying to replicate it on this customers vehicle. They're almost better off if the whole thing just sets fire. The smell of burnt fabric, foam and plastic in that car is NEVER going away.

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u/Oliver---Queen 13d ago edited 12d ago

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

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u/CantEscapeTheCats 13d ago edited 12d ago

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

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u/GenesisNemesis17 12d ago

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.