5 Simple Techniques to Remove Paint Smell from Car Interior

Regular car maintenance is essential to keeping the vehicle in shape and safe for road use. This maintenance includes giving the car a fresh new coat of color. However, a freshly painted car has the downside of putting up with the new paint smell.

The new paint smell can be unpleasant even when the car is painted fully or partly in some sections. The solvents and chemicals used to manufacture car paint pose short-term and long-term effects on people.

For this reason, our auto detailing team has crafted this article to explain five simple yet effective methods for removing a car’s paint smell. We have also highlighted the dangers of driving a car with these dangerous fumes. Read on to learn more.

5 Effective Ways to Remove Paint Smell from Car Interior

The smell of fresh car paint can be both unpleasant and harmful, but with the right approach, you can significantly reduce or eliminate it.

By using simple yet effective techniques and products, you can create a more comfortable and odor-free environment in your vehicle. Here are the five methods recommended by our auto detailing team.

Method 1: Ample Ventilation

Ventilation is essential when it comes to getting rid of car paint smell. It is recommended you open the car doors and windows fully to ensure ample air circulation and natural drying of the paint.

If you don’t have to use the car after getting it from the body shop, you can leave the windows and doors open for several hours until all the paint smell is gone.

While doing so, pack the car under shade and in a well-ventilated space for optimal air circulation. Furthermore, we recommend introducing a portable fan such as the Conbola Portable Rechargeable Camping Fan to speed up the ventilation and aeration process.

Steps to Follow

• Place the portable fan inside the car and turn it on.
• Open the doors and place the fans at the car’s center, angled towards the opened doors if possible.
• You can change the fan location to focus on areas prone to fume accumulation, such as the car seats, dashboards, and upholstery.
• The fans will enhance air circulation and make the paint dry even faster.
• NOTE: When using this method, remember to turn off the car’s air conditioning to prevent fumes from wafting through the car.

Method 2: Baking Soda

Baking soda is a natural way to reduce the paint smell in your car. It is readily available in most homes and absorbs odor from a wide range of sources, including car interiors.

Also known as sodium bicarbonate, it has a porous structure that absorbs and traps odorous molecules. When it comes into contact with the odor-causing molecules, it physically absorbs and binds them, reducing their odor-emission ability.

Moreover, baking soda not only neutralizes odors, but also its weak base pH reacts with the acidic odor molecules and neutralizes them. This neutralization helps eliminate or minimize the perception of the smell.

Baking soda prides itself on having a relatively long-lasting odor-elimination effect. It is also cheap yet safe and effective for eliminating other odors inside your car.

Steps to Follow

• Sprinkle baking soda on the car carpet, mats, seats, and doors. Ensure that the distribution is even for optimum results.
• Leave it to sit for a few hours or even overnight. Baking soda is safe to use on most car interiors, so you don’t have to worry about leaving it to sit overnight.
• Afterward, vacuum the baking soda from the car carpet, seats, and mats. For surfaces, use a clean, wet cloth or sponge and do it gently to avoid damage.
• If the paint smell is severe, you may have to repeat the process until the entire smell is entirely gone.

Method 3: Activated Charcoal

Like baking soda, Activated Charcoal is another natural odor absorber. It is a highly porous material that traps and absorbs Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in paint fumes.

Its large surface area contains microscopic pores that bind to odor-causing particles and toxins, effectively removing them from the air and the affected surfaces.

Unlike air fresheners, activated charcoal eliminates odors rather than masking them, making it an ideal solution for long-term odor control.

Check out these Activated Charcoal Odor Absorbers with Hooks available on Amazon, as these bags are rechargeable and can be used for up to 2 years by placing them in direct sunlight for 2 hours once a month.

Steps to Follow:

1. Hang several of the activated charcoal pouches inside your car and distribute them throughout, on the floor, seats, or dashboard.
2. Leave them overnight or for 24–48 hours to allow the charcoal to absorb the paint fumes effectively.
3. Replace or recharge the charcoal by exposing it to sunlight for reuse.
4. Repeat the process until all the odor is neutralized.

Method 4: Commercial Odor Eliminator

A Commercial Odor Eliminator is the easiest and most efficient way to eliminate the paint smell on a car’s interior. Plenty of commercial odor eliminators are uniquely formulated with ingredients for eliminating paint smell from the interior side of the vehicle.

We highly recommend the Chemical Guys Odor Eater. As the name suggests, this product works by eating any smell-trapping molecules.

As a result, it works exceptionally well to eliminate odors inside the car. Besides, it is easy to use and readily available in local and online stores as well.

Steps to Follow

• Prepare the car by wiping off any dust and dirt on the carpets, console, chairs, and doors. With that cleaning, the odor eater will be able to penetrate every part as much as possible.
• Remove the carpet and mats from the car and put them outside for further aeration.
• Afterward, spray the Chemical Guys Odor Eater, starting with the console, door, and seats. Leave it to sit for several minutes with both the door and windows open.
• Move to the carpet and mats and spray the odor eater evenly at every part.
• The odor eater will eliminate the paint smell from its source and give your car a fresher, crisp green apple scent.

Method 5: Commercial Ionizer

Some of the products we mentioned above might not work with stubborn paint smells. That’s where Commercial Ionizers come into play. Ozone ionizers are more effective at removing smelly car interiors, including those with a paint smell.

You can either buy or rent a commercial ionizer to get rid of the paint smell inside your car. We highly recommend the ONAMOR Ozone Ionizer for this kind of job. Additionally, this air purifier removes 99.97% of air pollutants, including paint smells and other odors.

It covers up to 6000 square feet of space and will work with any car, no matter the size or model. It is outfitted with a carbon pre-filter and activated charcoal filter to capture large particles and absorb odors.

Additionally, using the ONAMOR Ozone Ionizer to eliminate the paint smell in your car is relatively easy compared to the other methods mentioned above.

Steps to Follow

• Position the ionizer strategically, switch it on, and leave it running inside the car.
• For best results, you should leave it running for at least 12 hours if you have a small car and more than 24 hours for bigger vehicles.
• Afterward, vacuum the interior of the car thoroughly. Also, clean all the soft and porous parts of the vehicle where the odorous molecules might be trapped.
• Finally, open the car’s doors and windows to allow more ventilation and sun rays to kill any other paint odor molecules from the interior.

Dangers of Driving a Car with Strong Paint Smell

Driving a car with a strong paint smell can pose health risks like headaches, nausea, and respiratory irritation due to volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

These symptoms may also impair focus, making driving unsafe. Addressing paint odors promptly is essential for safety and comfort. Other dangers include:

1. Reduced Concentration

According to healthline.com, driving a car with a strong paint smell is potentially hazardous as it can interfere with your concentration on the road.

Reduced concentration not only impairs but also distracts your ability to focus on the road. This puts you at a higher risk of accidents as a result of unsafe driving environments.

2. Headaches and Dizziness

If you use your car to commute to work or school, driving with a strong paint smell can cause symptoms such as headaches and dizziness.

This is particularly the case if the paint smell is from recent car paintwork. The symptoms will not only affect your safety while driving but also interfere with your ability to work efficiently for the day.

3. Respiratory Irritation

Car paint, just like any other kind of paint, contains volatile organic compounds and several other chemicals that cause respiratory irritation.

If you expose your respiratory system to these substances for a prolonged period of time, you risk irritation, persistent coughs, and general discomfort when breathing.

4. Increase Stress

Driving a car with a strong paint smell can also lead to stress and anxiety disorders. When driving on the road, the strong odors can make you feel less calm and composed at the same time.

As a result, your decision-making and reaction time are affected, which can lead to risky driving behaviors and accidents in the worst scenarios.

Conclusion

Driving a car with a strong paint smell is not only uncomfortable but also unsafe, as it can lead to risky driving behaviors. Therefore, it is important to take the necessary precautions to prioritize your well-being and safety on the road.

All the methods and products mentioned above eliminate a car’s paint smell. Determine which method works best for your vehicle and choose appropriately.

Last update on 2025-01-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API