Can't get out the funk! (funk smell, that is!)

**TheFantod** · #1 01-07-2010, 11:52 AM

Got a used pedal in the mail today.

Previous owner must have smoked two packs a day of unfiltered Camels. It absolutely reeks of smoke.

I took the housing apart and set all the pieces outside to air out.

I suppose I could just clean the housing with nice hot soapy water and dry it out properly. Not much I can do with the innards, I don't think.

Any other tips here?

Tim

MagicMan_841 · #2 01-07-2010, 11:54 AM

Don't think there is much you can do but wait. Cleaning it will definately help, but with time the smoke stench will go away. I bought a bass from a smoker and it took nearly a year for the smell to completely disappear.

TrevorOfDoom · #3 01-07-2010, 11:57 AM

FeBreze?

PaulNYC · #4 01-07-2010, 11:59 AM

Leave it out in the sun. Maybe the UV rays will kill the smell.

Pitbull Growl · #5 01-07-2010, 12:47 PM

Try isopropyl alcohol on the outside & whatever you can reasonably get to on the inside.

What you're most likely smelling is the tar that cigarette smoke leaves behind. The rubbing alcohol will help break down the tar, and as an added bonus it'll dry up quicker than soapy water. I doubt there's as much of that stuff on the actual circuit board as the outside of the enclosure.

OilcanRacer · #6 01-07-2010, 12:57 PM

mechanics soap cleans everything away. fast orange, jo-joba, lanolin clean up.....many brands they all work. good for carpet stains too!!

dabs some on with a cloth, rub it in and wipe away. no water needed. careful some of these are gritty, like they got snad in them. that sand might scratch paint.

Gearhead43 · #7 01-07-2010, 02:16 PM

Start smoking, then you won't notice it.

RickenBoogie · #8 01-07-2010, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearhead43

Start smoking, then you won't notice it.

Exactly.

Billybassbeater · #9 01-07-2010, 02:38 PM

Have you tried the number one tool in the world...WD-40? It's surprising how well it cleans too.

bigtexashonk · #10 01-07-2010, 04:25 PM

Ozium spray.

newbold · #11 01-07-2010, 04:31 PM

get some lubricated contact cleaner if you don't have any already...you can clean the guts with it too, as well as most electronics.

it reeks. Should cover any smoke stench that it doesn't clean away.

tomhanzo · #12 01-07-2010, 04:44 PM

Milothicus · #13 01-07-2010, 08:02 PM

i've never tried it, but i would think brake cleaner would be perfect for this. i've used it to clean small electric motors, and the only side effect i noticed was that it made the motor really cold.

in short bursts it could rinse out the tar and then it evaporates. just don't spray the metal and then shatter it by tapping it on anything...