Extreme Odor Removal | Smoke Damaged Mercedes | Chicago Auto Pros

This Mercedes ML350 was unfortunately in a house fire and is need for some odor removal. It was a big to take on, but we got it done and the vehicle smells so much better.
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#odorremoval #smokedamage

[@kylefeilmeier7261]

I see why other detail shops turned this job down. Lots of labor for this one that's crazy

[@ChicagoAutoPros]

I really didn't think it would be as much work as it was.

[@birkleandetailing]

Charge for your time, if the customer what's the problem sorted they will pay. The right detailers would love a go at this. I sure would.

[@AvianaAircraft]

@@ChicagoAutoPros experience is what you get, when you didn't get what you want.

[@rustyfan89]

You guys rock if you guys were just a few hours closer, my Audi and I would be knocking on your door, I would still drive out there but buy the time I got home with all the salt and crap on the highway, it would look worse Then when I brought in, keep the vids coming very informative makes me wanna wash my vehicle right now

[@KR-jg7gc]

Did he just say a Tornado is a Tour Na Door? 💁🏿‍♂️💁🏽‍♀️💁🏾‍♂️💁‍♂️ Also.. a job like this, I was expecting them to strip EVERYTHING. plastic covers in the boot and safety belt cover, the carpets OUT... and they didn't.. smh.. #1st time here

[@csiautodetail]

By using the tornador on the head liner after you clean your dashboard and lower parts of ca,r i will say you are spreading all that nasty stuff everywhere again.

[@tripxez8478]

The tornador lifts the grime into the cone. It should be cleaned frequently while in use but they didn't show it

[@mrklimczyk]

I was hoping to see an ozone machine be used to kill off the strong odor

[@Mwap439]

A customer reaction would have been LIT

[@ChicagoAutoPros]

Unfortunately, we didn't get to meet the customer on this job.

[@Jonnybarbs]

@@ChicagoAutoPros probably for the best that you didn't meet the customer ;)

[@waynefromcanada]

That was a pretty impressive presentation of your skills as a professional detailers. Well done! 👍

[@ChicagoAutoPros]

Thanks Wayne!

[@lucascooper4188]

changing the cabin air filter would help a lot i’m sure

[@chrislangdell117]

Haha. This was going to be my comment. As well as soaking the new cabin filter with a douse of industrial oder neutralizer.

[@dojomojomofo]

Something I once did on a Corolla I inherited is to remove the cabin blower motor assembly and the grills over the air intake under the windshield, and then clean the blower out and actually reach up into the vents and scrub them out from the inside (at one point, some mice had made a home on the blower.) I found there are no shortage of people trying to deodorize their vent system, but it seems like virtually no one realizes you can actually get inside it.

[@SDav21]

I'm SO happy that this lovely ML was saved. 16 years later and it still looks great. Excellent condition.

[@ryanhorie9650]

These MLs are so nice 😍

[@JesseyDoggy]

Please do more videos like this! Videos focusing on one car is so more satisfying and interesting to watch! Keep up the good work!

[@holybusiness9624]

Enough work was in that interior for three crews to work three 8-hour shifts. Countless folks would have never removed the seats and door panels. #Job4WorkaholicsOnly #QualityTakesTime

[@fermonayers5963]

I've been in the detail business for 34 plus years..and I have to say is that your freaking awesome...much respect to you and your staff you guys are bad ass my man!😉😁

[@ChicagoAutoPros]

This is awesome, thank you brother!

[@ShiftedPerspective]

I bet that ML costs as much as the detail performed on it! Amazing transformation guys!

[@jaymorello4161]

Shifted Perspective I think because it was an extremely low mileage car (26k original miles) which is insane... it’s probably worth $9-10k all day long. That detail was probably $1500-2000 if I had to take a guess.

[@T3rraL33t]

@@jaymorello4161 my thoughts as well. Still 20% the value to have it cleaned. Just throw the whole thing away lol.

[@ShiftedPerspective]

@@jaymorello4161 you're probably right! I have no issue spending the money to clean up any car, especially with a transformation like that!

[@CAPTJ696]

@@jaymorello4161 I was going for maybe 2500. Alot of attention to detail here. Obviously the owner can view the footage and see the amount of work. Insurance probably covered some of the cost.

[@michaelpowell4823]

Wouldn't this be easier to just use Febreze? That's sarcasm for those that can't tell

[@triggerhappyreviews]

Was this vehicle considered a total loss? I've been in the insurance industry a long time. I've yet to have them pay for a detail job like this but it's an interesting option.

[@billyduncan6713]

That was awesome! Hands down my favorite video I’ve watched in quite sometime. Extremely informative and just watching how much effort you all put in was incredible.

[@ChicagoAutoPros]

Thanks Billy!

[@gtlegacy8]

looks like the window was slightly open when the fire happened.

[@shanejones5885]

They have a kit that you induct into the heat/ac duct system, let sit and then run through the system. Maybe for a future job... As for the carpets and smell, you need something to get down deep into the fabric. You didn't remove the carpet so you'd need something topical. Baking soda, coffee ground mixtures are all options. I've used a mixture prior that worked well, but as long as you aren't getting down deep the smell will remain and come back. It's similar to pet urine on home carpets, companies now completely lift the carpet and pad, then treat all the way down to the subflooring. Great videos though.

[@mskudlarczyk]

Also ZEP smoke remover spray I USE IT EVERYWHERE!!

[@red55chief]

Dealing with soot from a house fire can be dangerous, especially when it isn’t baked on. You guys should be wearing N95 masks for the whole process, as well as the gloves. Make sure to shower in luke warm water as soon as possible after work and wash your clothes separately from other laundry. The soot can be carcinogenic, but you won’t find that out for at least ten years. Take care, Redchief 52.

[@ReginaTrans_]

I haven't watch the video and I already know its gona turn out *_INCREDIBLE_*

[@ChicagoAutoPros]

LOL

[@travisc7506]

A magic eraser doesn't "pull" anything out of the cars plastics etc. Its essentially just sanding down the plastics. Personally if this was my car I wouldn't have been very happy about the use of a magic eraser on any of the textured materials in the car. I have magic erasers in my detailing arsenal as well but I never use them on anything with a texture or treated materials such as leather seats etc. Not trying to hate or anything and the final product turned out great just kind of an FYI so people don't run out and start using magic erasers all over their cars then wonder why they took the finish or texture off.

[@alexkuziel9981]

These febreze commercials are getting out of hand.

[@sh2011os]

You should have used Oud incense To get rid of the fire smell and replace it better smell

[@Get_yotted]

You guys did an excellent job on the tint on my Sonata. May come in soon to get my Santa Fe done up too

[@KaliberAutoDetailing]

This is kinda funny. I just did my first truck that was in the garage with a garage fire about 4 days ago. The entire outside was dark and evenly covered, not in streaks like that one. Also NONE of it would spray off with a pressure washer. It was super greasy, like you had been working on the engine. Couldn't touch it with car soap and a towel as it would just grab the towel and it wouldn't move on the surface. I figured out that using meguiars all purpose cleaner worked really well, around the 8:1 mark. This worked much better than a degreaser like super clean at 7:1. I had to clean it panel by panel with many towels and rinse each panel. Most of them I had to go over twice to get clean. Came off the paint easier than the glass. It took a little over three hours to get the entire outside done along with the tires. Also the smell was really strong on the on the rubber areas like the tires. Luckily the interior was nothing like that one. Just a bit into the door jambs, but I just treated it like a smokers car and cleaned the interior really well.

[@mustangrider9197]

I like your work good customer service good bless you

[@dustybaker890]

very well done guys.always learn something from the show and i thank you for that.stay clean stay safe and God Bless!!!!

[@CrystalLookDetailing]

Hey guys, did you change the air filter in The engine bay and cabin filter? Ozone treatment?

[@heatherk2467]

You've earned my business and I live in Minneapolis, lol. This family has already lost so much in the fire, having their car back likely meant more to them than we'll ever know and seeing the care you took and attention to detail was amazing. It's nice to see skills and integrity in one shop. :-)

[@ljguy300]

Why didn't you change the cabin air filter?

[@stardog2779]

Removing the entire carpet would have been nice

[@smitty1952]

Justin,I watch all your videos but this was my absolute favorite. Impresses the boss personally worked on this. You are the man Jason!

[@patrickcollins1000]

Did you replace the cabin air filter?

[@shokstudios]

I love seeing videos like this from you guys! Like you said, a lot of times, high end shops won’t take on a job like this and I think this is what makes you guys one of the best in the business!

[@TheCarDetailingChannel]

Something so satisfying about bringing a car back to life with a good detail

[@KMedeiros41]

New drinking game: take a shot Everytime Jason says “Sut”

[@ChicagoAutoPros]

😜

[@agger838]

Soot

[@citizenpark2782]

@chicagoautopros and what steps and products did you use for the dashboard?

[@Nurse_Lucy]

I'm so glad you finally put on some respiratory PPE. Even just simply soot can cause a respiratory issues

[@user-sx4yu3nw4j]

I just hope that it was Jason’s personal respirator - that’s a piece of PPE that you should never share!

[@slimpat74]

I was expecting an ozone generator to help remove the odor.

[@uiuirgofydogh]

They did use one at the end of the video

[@MusicByJC]

I was wondering the same thing but they do mention it at end of video. I bought a ozone generator years ago and never used. Recently I cleaned my seats and carpet in car. After a few days, the car had a bad stale smell to it, even though carpet and seats looked great. So, I finally gave the ozone generator a try for about an hour. The smell was gone and replaced with a chlorine like smell that wasn't unpleasant. I was worried that it just covered up the smell but the smell never returned and the chlorine like smell went away after a couple of days. I give the ozone generator thumbs up.

[@a.quintero8373]

What is the name of the tool they used to wash underneath the vehicle?

[@ChicagoAutoPros]

Undercarriage Pressure Washer/Cleaner

[@jamesgilliam6615]

Superior job fellas I would have loved to see what the customers reaction was maybe next time

[@jcsfive5670]

customer: Shook your hand with a smile, sat in the vehicle, lit a stinky heater, and drove off. CAP: waves likes forest gump and yells “see ya next spring, ya dirty neck!”

[@dav264]

WOW, that looked like a massive amount of work. Fantastic job guys! I hope the owners were happy with the results.

[@BZ1340]

Kudos for taking this on. You’ll get more sales from this detail then those other goofs that declined to take a crack at it.

[@GreenOval_Adventurers]

Great job! like ye did a great job but the car is worth like 400 euros? Why would you spend so much time cleaning it?

[@rontronnesjr]

Customer: Our vehicle was in the garage and we had a house fire. There is soot damage throughout the vehicle and we can't find....... at this point, the customer is interrupted by Jason Jason Otterness: Challenge accepted. Pick it up in 3 days. AWESOME video showing your dedication to customer service and PROVING one again Chicago Auto Pros is THE PREMIER detailing business in the Chicagoland area.

[@elonmusk8667]

I would change the cabin filter and used this interior fogger. MEGUIAR'S G16402 Whole Air Re-Fresher Odor Eliminator Mist, New Car Scent, 1 Pack www.amazon.com/dp/B00G49DVGG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_j20qEb92G3WVS

[@cuda528]

You guys did a fantastic job, it really shows your dedication to your work. Well done.

[@Clint_L]

Amazing video gents. Incredible turn around. I was going to suggest a mask, then boom you’re wearing one. Ha, well done. How on earth did the ash get inside, guessing the windows were down. But the inside of the door panels. Wow. Amazing. Just amazing.

[@ChicagoAutoPros]

Must have been some thick heavy smoke!

[@bringonthemonsters]

I'm in this situating right now. What did you charge for this? I have no basis to what to charge the repair shop for this detail.

[@MyGuyKirby]

Nice to you in action on this special case! I was wondering if you would use the ozone machine as a final step. Did the vinegar trick do anything except smell like vinegar? And the amount of MF towels used was a few loads in the washer! Lots of tips and as always the crew came together and did their best!

[@istewart4922]

Also want to know if vinegar trick worked

[@DarkKnight-ws3wx]

You guys rock!!!! It amazes me when a shop refuses an opportunity to gain business and the trust of a customer. Great job

[@daveh2612]

Candy Man weird right? Some people don’t want money apparently

[@user-sx4yu3nw4j]

Maybe they had a better idea of what would be involved, and that even after the degree to which Jason and his crew slaved away on it, they *still* couldn’t get the smoke odor completely removed? This job required a lot of manpower to get done in only 3 days, maybe they didn’t have that kind of capacity remaining in their full calendars - maybe they wanted the work, but just wouldn’t be able to get to it soon enough? This car also stunk up the entire garage - maybe they have smaller garages and didn’t want to risk contaminating other customers’ cars? There are a number of valid reasons why a detailer would turn away business, if they’re professional and making decisions objectively and rationally.

[@CAPTJ696]

I'm assuming that job costs a small fortune and what a labor intensive service C.A.P. provided to that owner.

[@citizenpark2782]

@chicagoautopros I’m looking for someone as badass as u guys in Los Angeles. Can you make reco of any shop out here? Keep up the awesome videos.

[@eddiegdrums1646]

God, I'd love to be able to do stuff like this all day. You boys are very good at what you do.

[@dylanstonerds]

My pride and joy project chevy pickup suffered the same fate in ny garage fire. Garage is all fixed up, just now dealing with the truck and man the smell! The soot is everywhere and a lot of shiny parts are blistered.. wish me luck

[@Thumper1968]

Good stuff. That job looked brutal. Question: Why not use an ozone generator? I use one on almost every interior detail and it completely eliminates all odors, especially in a smoker's car. I'd think that it would have been the final step on this job to remove the rest of the odor. Anyway, amazing job. I like how you guys go into the most difficult spots to get the job done.

[@mrpink3630]

jesus the whole time im like 'why on this german piece of shit?!....WHY?!?!!?' its resale value is still 8k

[@matthewbrand6580]

No one touches the skill, ability, passion, care, and professionalism of Chicago Auto Pros. I live in NY but when the time comes I have to find a way to get my car done by you guys.

[@lunatik4]

I would have utilized an ozone generator to get rid of the smells. 2 treatments probably would have done the job! Otherwise, very nice job on the thorough job!

[@bobsmithinson2050]

First, phenomenal video presentation and commentary. This was an insane undertaking, and many would’ve turned it down. Taking out ALL of the interior is the only true way to rid the car of the smoke. Just seeing what was behind the door panels tells me the same is behind the dash, A, B,C pillars, underside of the headliner, and even under the carpet in some areas. I understand removing all of that would triple labor costs and would not be economical for a middle ground of being cost effective and result effective. That being said, the job done here was an amazing result and I’m sure it’s beyond good enough and exceeded the customers expectations. Subscribed as I’d like to see more videos like these. The gents in the video seemed like really cool guys as well (not cringy, not punchable)

[@ChicagoAutoPros]

Yes, there was is point where we would lose money on the labor hours spent on the vehicle. We went well over what was quoted for the job. You could still smell the odor coming from the outside of the car. I image between the fenders and quarter panels there was a lot of soot hiding. Thanks for the kind words and look forward to bringing you more content. I will try to stay not punchable, no promises though.

[@dustin3700]

I would feel bad about taking the job personally. Unless you tear down everything you'll never get the scent out, this is where managing expectations is key. The vehicle will just have a new nick name like the cookout merc.

[@stephenhillard7912]

The customer must be attached to that car . In Australia it would be written of and MLs have a bad reputation electrically and mechanically . But people keep buying new ones because of the badge . Fantastic resuscitation on a vehicle that was in need of some loving , I hope the owner is happy . You all did an amazing job .

[@1974kenm]

Kinda surprised they didn't just total it out. Usually for fire/smoke they just call it.

[@chandarussell]

If you think that smoke odour inside the vehicle was bad you should have smelled the vehicle that a fellow who died of a heart attack in. He had parked in his garage after coming home on a Friday, closed the big door then promptly died. It was the middle of the summer and nobody came looking for him until Tuesday. Let me tell you that is a smell that sticks with you. The seat he was sitting in was replaced but the scent of decaying flesh permeates everything. Eventually after a good clean and hours of the ozone machine sitting in the car the scent came out. That was something. Good job on this vehicle.

[@StartrekTNG1701]

I live in Illinois and I have a 2003 Mercedes Benz ML500 pretty much looks identical to that car how much does that detailing cost mine does not have smoke damage but it is been sitting for several years and is very musty on the inside

[@ronayotte3571]

I was a firefighter for 33 years... I am extremely familiar with the aroma of "Parfum de Conflagration"!

[@mcr1photo]

Great work! Does the ozone machine get the smell out of a fire damage car? I’m looking a a vw van that had an engine fire. The backend is burnt but not the front. Would I need to get new front seats or is the van F’d? Thanks

[@joemyers3141]

Hey Sirs can you make a suggestion for a DA polisher for a disabled person?

[@mskudlarczyk]

Awesome vlog!! Id let insurance total it lol i wouldmt even have messed with it

[@DEVUNK88]

tornadors and carpet extractors are wonder weapons in a detailers arsenal, O also use them in all sort of non detailing cleaning tasks around the home and shop to clean carpets and furniture, window sills, old linoleuom floors, tornador sawdust and oil from my chainsaw and yard and garden equipemnt, air conditioners and fans from people who smoked had to dis assemble them, I even used a tornador to clean my buddies woodshop, blowing sawdust of wall and equipment and out the door. So many uses, not sure how I ever lived without one

[@Mogsy28uk]

well done sir, showing the other detail shops how its done. 👌👌👌

[@kenbode8806]

Great job guys! Amazing the amount of smoke damage.

[@GapedCeiling]

Putting baking soda on the carpet overnight will soak a ton of odor out of the car. and you can vacuum the baking soda up after

[@dustin3700]

Just a tip on removing seats, unfasten then and wrap the metal brackets before attempting to remove so you if you hit the plastics, painted surfaces or leather so you and the customer don't have to deal with the issue.

[@ScottHirschman]

Soot at that level is a carcinogen. Wearing a respiratory for the entire job should be mandatory. just sayin.

[@jamestehuna5915]

There is only so much you can do with that kinda detail and that’s pretty much rip everything out and stuff that

[@angelluisortiz4300]

Hello, please can you tell me what is the model of the air gun that you used for the top of the car. Thanks. Best regards.

[@DEVUNK88]

I always keep a bucket of clean water to rinse the dirt out of my magic eraser, just swish and squeeze it clean or run it under a hose for a couple seconds and squeeze, you wont be smearing dirty cleaner all over, after I scrub a panel or portion of one I rinse out the eraser and mist more cleaner onto the area and wipe with a clean rag

[@honorhurricane5180]

Yeah my dad car was in a garage fire and the smell never went away. It’s not the worse smell in the world but just rather not smell it.

[@twayne4608]

After you deep cleaned it you could of got a car bomb from like Freshfx and it would of been good.

[@mitchfitzpatrick3539]

You guys should be using mouth & eye protection. That crap is floating in the air and your breathing it in.

[@flipmyshit6826]

This was an amazing video. One of the best you guys have produced in a long time. Really showing off every step and the skill and knowledge you guys have. And I loved the music near the end

[@ChicagoAutoPros]

Cool, we will do more like this one then.

[@Aiden-kk2tf]

Over the summer I had a huge kitchen fire and they basically had to do that to our entire house, everything was destroyed

[@EvanHaworthStaines]

Damn house fire not a funny situation. Have already been there ... hope everyone was ok ?

[@TheJared1445]

Awesome work! Did you happen to open the sun roof and clean the seals and surrounding areas?

[@LadyJustice86]

I would have gone the extra step to change the engine air filter and the cabin filter. A lot is left behind the dash, what you can't get to. That would be the leftover area if the odor is still there.

[@rickdecespedes4939]

Cut a watermelon in 1/2 overnight it also absorbes all oders. Then dispose !

[@Joemama-jq8fm]

Insurance should have totaled that old suv KBB probably 5k

[@CheaperEngineer]

Impressed that you took on this job. Using vinegar as an odor trap and an ozone generator are great ideas. Thanks for posting.

[@BluesLover051]

This what X-rays of the lungs of people who smoke look like. Awful!

[@mjmellock]

The moisture in that car was crazy! Smoke stick to it.

[@claudiofiero8523]

If you smoke in your car, your car will let everyone know that almost forever

[@christopherpeay3750]

Did you guys try the Tornador Black Vac on the headliner?

[@rightprivilege]

What was the customer charged? How much would this cost me for a 02 c-class?

[@motivmolotov3361]

I wonder how many views you’d get if you do an odour removal video of a car that had hobo gangbang

[@HP.Customs]

Step 1 drive into ocean. Step 2 come back 2 weeks later and boom no more smell.

[@franciscocorrea3949]

El peor error que cometieron fue mojar de esa manera el chasis ya que llama al famoso oxido que deteriora el fierro y ni siquiera secaron el chasis pesimo error

[@markiezee6435]

Is their anything these guys can’t clean on a car?! Freakin legit pros