Hifi equipment - how do you get rid of the stale smell?

[gsrai]

I'll try to be as PC as possible so as not to offend but I have a problem with some kit I bought a while ago.

The kit is in fantastic conditionbut I guess it has been in a house where they smoke or have pets so the kit itself has a certain "odour" about it which I really notice and ittakes over the room.

Have any of you guys had similar problems and if so how did you get rid of the smell or is this not possible without taking the covers off and giving the gear a clean?

I am not taking this piss with this thread just hope someone can help

[Sony6million]

You just need to use it and it will disappear.

I experienced this when buying kit from smokers. Stinks to begin with but soon fades.

[icehockeyboy]

Gobind, I recall you having a conservatory when I was at yours? Stick it in there powered up and playing, on silent if necessary, and it should soon go.

[gsrai]

Cheers guys - that really works ???

[JANDL100]

gsrai wrote:

Cheers guys - that really works ???

Nope - if it's cigarette smoke pong, it'll never fade.

IME anyway - I had a pair of speaker cables from a smoker.

[icehockeyboy]

JANDL100 wrote:

gsrai wrote:

Cheers guys - that really works ???

Nope - if it's cigarette smoke pong, it'll never fade.

IME anyway - I had a pair of speaker cables from a smoker.

It will, eventually, before the smoking ban, I worked in various night clubs, and upon opening my cd case was met with that awful stench, but it has gone now. You just have to leave it somewhere out of nose shot to "air"

[bigdur]

Pour a bottle of fabreze down the vents.

[gsrai]

bigdur wrote:

Pour a bottle of fabreze down the vents.

That could work

[russ abbott - royds brother]

cotton wool and isopropyl wiped oved over the case?

[gsrai]

russ abbott - royds brother wrote:

cotton wool and isopropyl wiped oved over the case?

Will probably sound stoopid but where do I get isopropyl (what is it?)

[russ abbott - royds brother]

Chemist about a fiver for 500ml.

Very good for cleaning hi fi.

not sure what its main use is for.

Be careful though as it can leave a slightly smeared finish.


I've never used it on expensive gear.
Try it on the back or sides 1st.

[catcando]

If you are happy removing the covers, blow out all the dust and hair. Wipe any wires, cables, etc with something like Dettol. Anything that is rubber or vinyl will absorb most of the smell. Wipe them down with warm a soapy rag then wipe with Dettol.

It will get rid of it.

I bought a home phone off of eBay and it reeked of smoke when I received it. The coiled cord was the worst but the wall lead was bad as well. Once everything was cleaned with Dettol, no smell.

[Bourney]

i once had some Rega R3's..the wood was completely ingrained with the smell. i smoked at that time but never in the house but nmy house stunk as result of these speakers. i used to hang the grilles on the line and drench them in febreeze. i used to clean the wood with mr sheen every day for around a month...they still stank the day i sold them. gross! they were only 6 months old! i know that dunner help G

[shari]

I bought a whole load of kit off a smoker a few years ago and just used it loads to begin with and the smell eventually went. It does go eventually

[gthang]

I had this problem with a 2nd hand TV me and 2 house mates purchased when in a student house. The smell was so bad during the 1st week we nearly fucked it off to buy another, but after while it did get less noticable as the smell burnt off.

Leave it turned on in a spare / less well used room with with window open. The smell will fade.

[gsrai]

I have to admit I'm not that patient a person but I guess a week of leaving the kit running wont hurt much - does the amp need to be connected to speakers as I guess I can put a CD on repeat?

[Bourney]

what is it G?

[gthang]

gsrai wrote:

I have to admit I'm not that patient a person but I guess a week of leaving the kit running wont hurt much - does the amp need to be connected to speakers as I guess I can put a CD on repeat?

Atfirst my TV smelt worse when it was warm as the smell burnt off from the back vents. I reckon thewarmer your ampgets (self generated heat) the better, which prob means actually driving speakers.

[gsrai]

Cheers gthang - I will try and perseve with it!

[Alex A]

Only ever had that issue with an interconnect I bought off ebay. Stunk. Took months to fade and still smells a bit two years later. I think rubber and wood are most succeptible - whether it's possible to remedy it quickly or easily rather depends on how much exposure the equipment has had to smoke.