@krauseheim

My car smells bad - mice urine odor reeks - help!

krauseheim · 2002-09-16T16:01:24.000Z

I have only myself to blame, but after four years in storage, my '53 Buick Super reeks of mouse pee. It's been a challenge finding all the nooks and crannies where these guys hung out, and I've taken apart everything I've dared to, shopvac'd, shampoo'd and sprayed/brushed with OdoBan (available at Sam's Club). The car still reeks. My next stunt will be an ozone generator. Other stunts I've heard of that are supposed to banish the odors include vinegar, Febreeze, charcoal and garlic...I haven't tried these, and don't want to until someone tells me they'll work. I suspect, however, that I haven't located all the "odor sources", i.e. dead mice and mouse nests. I pulled the back seat and seat back and back side panels off, and took care of the two vent inlets under the dash too, spraying every surface I can find with OdoBan. Where else should I be looking? The car smells, and when it's moving, it REALLY smells. Anyone know of the Grand Cure for getting rid of the smell? It stinks so bad I have to drive with my head hanging out the window like a hairy dog on a hot day. By the way, did I mention that my car smells?Tom Heimerman

Sep 16, 2002 (edited)4.7K views

Replies (11)

· Sep 16, 2002

Hi Tom:

The methodology of construction of a modern all steel car of the era of your '53 Buick...is SO different from that of the kind of cars you typically find in the CLASSIC CAR CLUB OF AMERICA (a club that was formed to preserve the large luxury cars of the 1920-s up thru the start of the first world war)...that I really dont know how much use we can be for you.

Have you thought of inquiring of a club that is set up to deal with your era car? I strongly recommend the BUICK owner's club..bet you will find the help you need there.

Pete Hartmann

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· Sep 17, 2002

Thanks, Pete. Yes, I've tried some other forums, including the Buick Club of America (of which I've been a member for a few years). My question was so general and non-era-specific that I figured this would be a good place to ask it too.

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· Sep 17, 2002

Dear smell bad,

Have you tried just plain ole baking soda. I know when an animal eliminates on carpet, if you put baking soda on area, leave it until it is completely dry, then vaccum it up, it will pull up the spot and odor as well. Also, baking soda is good just for odor elimination anyway, just like you would put in your refrig. Sprinkle some around, let it sit and then vaccum it up, it can't hurt. Just a thought.

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· Sep 17, 2002

Hartmann has it right. There is no listed Full Classic that would be sullied by vermin urine as you descibe. It is not a problem here. Take your smelly problem elsewhere.

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· Sep 17, 2002

Above post is still ANOTHER example of why our "chat room manager" should set up a program that prevents these "chicken-dropping" anymonous guys from posting.....

P.S..just noticed a typo error in my post - of course the classic era ended with the onset of the SECOND..not the FIRST World War...!

Pete Hartmann

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· Sep 18, 2002

Hartmann I suggest you be less concerned about running people out of here and more interested in either helping or keeping your mouth shut. GM pioneered all-steel construction in 1937, well before the advent of the second world war.

Many all-steel GM cars are listed as CCCA full classics. Thus, your statement regarding 'methodolgy of construction', although having your typical smokescreen of seeming accuracy, is false.

Besides, the mouse smell is more likely in the upholstery, an item present in all cars, even lowly Buicks.

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· Sep 28, 2002

I get a kick out of people and their postings... Club was formed for the preservation of cars from the 1920s to the start of the first world war... WWI started in 1914... PRIOR to 1920s. My car also had the same problem and the previous owner tried using moth balls... Now I have to rid the moth ball scent out. Sometimes keeping a car original still maintains it as a classic.

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· Oct 8, 2002

I had a friend spill fish juices in his car and it was recommended that he lay dryer sheets (White so they would not stain) on his carpet and change them every other week for two months. The car smelled like a big dryer sheet for a good six months, but now has no odor. Propably would be difficult to do on anything other than carpet though. Baking soda and a lot of rinsing may be your best bet.

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· Oct 9, 2002

Gawd, the GALL of these poeple talking about MOUSE PEE on the CLASSIC CAR CLUB OF AMERICA forum. Don't these people understand that MICE DON'T PEE on REAL CLASSIC CARS!!!!They stick to those COMMON MAN cars, like that lowly 53 Buick. That Buick is probably filled with old french fries, crackers, and pretzels, no wonder the mice like it. They may visit a CLASSIC of course, but they know to LOOK BUT DON'T LEAK when it comes to REAL CLASSIC CARS.

Bill

Albuquerque, NM.

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· Oct 15, 2002

Just a historical correction gentlemen, but Dodge Brothers pioneered all-steel bodies with the use of Budd technology in 1914 for open cars, with the first all-steel closed cars in 1923. "Anonymous" is correct in that the classics didn't get there until the 1930s.

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· Dec 13, 2002

Perhaps you may have forgotten that most carnuts whether it be brass age,pre war ,post war or to the early seventies tend to have good manners,are not arrogant and dont give a mouses arse about if their car cost a fortune or not.Do you really think vermin would care if its a so called Real classic or not? Trust me they dont.I do not want to read that kind of talk when i come to this site.I can apresheate cars from all periods of time and not disparage any of them(cept maybe the mid 70s thru mid eighties).So in the spirit of car lovers i will ask anyone on this site to refrain from that kind of foolish behaviour. Enjoy our hobbie without being a Jerk.

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