jheis Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 I just picked up a B&K PT 3 series II pre-amp for my office system, bumping my Carver CT-17 to the garage system, bumping my Optonica Tuner to ... the floor. Anyway, the B&K arrived yesterday and it is in superb, brand new condition, except for one thing - in a previous life it must have been an ashtray. The stench is so bad I could smell it as soon as I cut the tape on the shipping box. I usually recycle the shipping peanuts, but these reeked so bad they went straight into the trash. Does anyone have a remedy for getting rid of the tobacco smoke stench? The remote is particularly offensive, because it sits on my desk about 2' from my face (so that I can hit mute on those rare occasions when the phone rings). I tried holding it upside down (to try to keep liquid out of the insides) and scrubbing it with an old tooth brush dipped in rubbing alcohol, but it still stinks. James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Matthews Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 Try vinegar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Klappenberger Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 James, I think I would take the cover off it, put it on the shoe rack in the cloths dryer and run it on air-fluf (no heat) for about 3 hours! Al K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivendell61 Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 There is a product called "Erase", sold in a 2 oz. pump spray bottle. "Wipes out all smoke odors permanently". Made by Burning Solutions, Inc., Marietta, Georgia. That--or something similar--can be found at your local Tobacconist/Cigar/Pipe shop. But I have no idea if it does what it says..... Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedball Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 I would put it in a sealed garbage bag for a week or two with any commercial grade deodorizer you can find, ususally a janitor supply store sells them. Good score on the B&K! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IB Slammin Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 I just picked up a B&K PT 3 series II pre-amp for my office system, bumping my Carver CT-17 to the garage system, bumping my Optonica Tuner to the floor. Anyway, the B&K arrived yesterday and it is in superb, brand new condition, except for one thing - in a previous life it must have been an ashtray. The stench is so bad I could smell it as soon as I cut the tape on the shipping box. I usually recycle the shipping peanuts, but these reeked so bad they went straight into the trash. Does anyone have a remedy for getting rid of the tobacco smoke stench? The remote is particularly offensive, because it sits on my desk about 2' from my face (so that I can hit mute on those rare occasions when the phone rings). I tried holding it upside down (to try to keep liquid out of the insides) and scrubbing it with an old tooth brush dipped in rubbing alcohol, but it still stinks. James Dear Bloodhound, Nuke the whole thing. Burn your home. If you touched tobacco contaminated items, ......Chop off your hands. Were your children exposed? Place them in burlap bags, and drop them over a bridge. Yours, Clark Gable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dflip Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 The smell dissipates over time. When I got my Scott from Craig, I noticed a cigarette smell. [] I just left the window open and the smell disappeared over a couple of days. You could also leave it outside for several hours to let the smell go away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcarlton Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 I have a used Rotel amplifier that also stunk of cigarette smoke. Had it sitting outside for several hours. Still stunk. Used a tire pump and gently blew air through it. Still stunk. Put a solid air freshener next to it in an enclosed stereo rack. Still has an odor, not offensive. Doesn't smell clean...after 1.5 months. Amplifier works great. Maybe with time it will smell better. I suspect it has a thin layer of tar on everything. I had a patient whose walker was a gold color (normally they are made of aluminum). Wiped off the tar and had the aluminum color back. Heavy smoker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IB Slammin Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 I have a used Rotel amplifier that also stunk of cigarette smoke. Had it sitting outside for several hours. Still stunk. Used a tire pump and gently blew air through it. Still stunk. Put a solid air freshener next to it in an enclosed stereo rack. Still has an odor, not offensive. Doesn't smell clean...after 1.5 months. Amplifier works great. Maybe with time it will smell better. I suspect it has a thin layer of tar on everything. I had a patient whose walker was a gold color (normally they are made of aluminum). Wiped off the tar and had the aluminum color back. Heavy smoker. STONE THEM!!!![A] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 Just go down to your local self serve car wash............ just kidding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jheis Posted October 22, 2005 Author Share Posted October 22, 2005 Thanks all. Surprised to get so many responses so fast. I figured others had probably gone through the same thing since we don't seem to be shy about buying used gear. I assume the smell will dissipate over time, but I'm hoping for a quick fix. I had my last cigarette in 1972 and, except for a few girlfriends who occasionally lit up, have been smoke free since then (I've also become much less tolerant of women who smoke - in spite of their many other fine qualities [A]). The pre-amp doesn't bother me too much, cause its not right in my face like the remote. With all those soft rubber nubbins, the remote has probably soaked up a lot of stink. Al: I like that idea, except I've never seen a shoe rack for a dryer. I can picture a pre-amp tumbling around - do you think I should throw in a tennis ball to keep it fluffed up like you do with a down sleeping bag? Pat: yeah the B&K was a score. It was listed for $300 and I offered $200 and the seller countered at $225. Deal! Except for the smell it could be brand new. I love B&K stuff. It works (and keeps working) and sounds great. Terry: you wouldn't, by any chance, be a smoker would you? James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunburnwilly Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 Time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 I've taken apart so many remotes in my day to get the junk that always seems to get stuck in the rubber buttons especially when they get real old. I have one remote for a TV that has to be ten years old. I simply wash it all with Windex and let it dry before I reassemble. The electrical components on them are not exposed. Just let it all dry out before you reassemble it. Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jheis Posted October 22, 2005 Author Share Posted October 22, 2005 Graig: I've done that many times as well, especially mobile phone hand sets - yuck! This particular remote, however doesn't seem to have any accessible screws ( that I can find) and I'm a little reluctant to try and pry it apart - without knowing how it goes together. This one is not as complex, but I know that a replacement remote for my B&K Ref 50 is about $400, so I'd prefer not to screw it up. James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 Graig: I've done that many times as well, especially mobile phone hand sets - yuck! This particular remote, however doesn't seem to have any accessible screws ( that I can find) and I'm a little reluctant to try and pry it apart - without knowing how it goes together. This one is not as complex, but I know that a replacement remote for my B&K Ref 50 is about $400, so I'd prefer not to screw it up. James $400 you got to be kidding me. I think I'd put up with the smell[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunburnwilly Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 If you start smoking again , you won't even notice it ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfandbark Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 Ozium???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironwoods Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 Hey, since I still smoke, I'll give you what you paid for it(including the remote). [+o(] I just picked up an ST-140. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 Interesting problem. You've got to get the tobacco gunk off of there. I don't think any amount of airing or deodorizing will dissipate the funk. My Mom died of emphysema, and her furniture stunk to high heaven. I had to use Murphey's oil soap like 4 times to get the gunk off the piano. I'd take the cover off and wipe with any paint friendy cleaner. Perhaps one of the orange/citrus based ones might be good on erasing gunk and odor. Use a dust off gun and soft brush on the insides. You think your pre-amp stinks? My first set of Cornwalls survived a house fire (sellers, not mine). They stunk like a bonfire for years. Good luck, Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill H. Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 You could spray (Lightly) a rag with some Fabreeze (sp), and wipe down the remote. Worked well for me on the cover of my old Sansui receiver that had been in a smokers house........Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.