....so, I took my TL-S in for an oil change, and wandered into the show room... There it was... the next TL . Anyway, I got in... it's not like I haven't been in one before... I checked it out at a car show 2 weeks ago...

But what strikes me the most.... is how much I miss that "new car smell." That leather (or synthetic leather, or whatever it really is...) smell...

Is there anyway to restore that scent?

 

buy new seats

 

I have a 2000 and still have that smell.

 

When I use my zaino leather cleaner (Z9) / and leather in a bottle (Z10) .. it helps to restore some of the new leather smell to the car. It isn't exactly like the "new car smell" but it still smells nice.

 

I believe I've seen Airfreshners that do this for you? Just check the aisles at Autobarn, Pepboys or Autozone, Im almost positive I've come across this.

 

take a shower....hehe...jp

 

I haven't tried in my car, but I use wilsons leather conditioner on my jacket and it always has a nice 'leather' smell.. May be worth a shot.

 

They don't smell anything like when the car was new.

 

...yeah, I know... I think I bought one of those a long time ago, when I had my Celica GT-S, and it didn't smell anything like a new car.

 

I've used leather care and leather scent from 'Griots' garage(you can find it on their web site) on my TL and on my clients cars with good results.

 

There's a move among carmakers (especially the Japanese) to remove odors from new cars. My new 2004 had a pseudo-new car odor from the leather that faded after about a week, so I would say that Acura was successful.

 

8k miles and still smell like new. Everybody tells me that, my '96 Maxima was like that too, it all depends on how clean you keep the car and if you eat inside etc. All this odors stay in the car.

 

I have a friend who works in the auto industry. She tells me that the "new car smell" is essentially a low-level carcinogen. It's the odor of chemicals coming off the carpet and plastics. In time, this process stops and you no longer smell anything (except the spilled food)

 

Zaino leather cleaner is the closest thing to the "new car smell" I've had. I love that stuff.

 

I have a 14yr. MB and it still have that smell

 

I second this post. The cleaner/conditioners are really good and the scent that comes with it works well too (lasts about 2 weeks). That, and some Lexol on the dash...

 

Yankee Candle air freshener, leather scent , $1.99. Lasts a long time and everyone that enters the car loves the new car smell.

 

it's a combination of the leather, and the new vinyl/plastic. There is a coating on the vinyl/plastics that evaporates over time (why new cars interior windows get that "film"). I have found weekly treatments of 303 and a good leather conditioner/cleaner combo (I use Platinum Ultimate Leather Cleaner which just rocks and the Platinum conditioner that give the leather that new leather smell without being overpowering..)

The 303 has high levels of UV protectant so it keeps the conditioners in the plastic/vinyl there - longer (I don't get that film anymore)...just last week I picked up a pizza from the drive through window at papa johns and the girl said "I love your new car" as she took my money, when she came back she said " I could tell it was new, when I opened the window I could smell it!" and she was inside the Papa Johns with all them pizza's cooking.

 

i was gonna say stop farting

 

...where do you get that? I've never seen it before.

 

should be in most malls - my roomate happens to be the manger of one here

 

Does anyone have any experience with Pinnacle Leather Conditioner- I heard it brings back that new leather smell, anyone know?

 

Yeah, I just cleaned my windows on my Accord the other day of the grime and now my new car smell is gone.

 

Funny that this post arrives as I wondered this and decided to clean my interior for the first time in 6 months (and no, I mean REALLY clean it). I wiped down all the panels, door, windows, everything. Clean the mats without detergent. And, like many here have said, I treated the leather but used Meguiar's leather care and OMG--three days later the car smells like brand new!

 

Oh yeah that has a stronger smell then the platinum (I have used that and the CG vinyl protectant as well) -

it was tad too strong for my allergy ridden nose - but it's great stuff.

 

I actually left the windows down and roof open all night in the garage and it aired out fine...I highly recommend it!

 

You can't beat it - possibly Lexol but to each his own

I can't say enough good things about the Platinum line though -

Their Ultimate Paint Protection is hands down da bomb - couple that with their Paint Cleaner or Klasse AIO (my preference) and you get unbelivable bling bling. (the great thing about UPP and other sealants like Zaino - you can layer carnuba on top of it for ultimate shine)

I do detail work on the side for friends and I have used their leather cleaner on some of the nastiest looking tan leather seats - the stuff is amazing (with their leather conditioner)..took a three year old alero GLS with 3 years of kid stains and made it look brand new..

To clean Vinyl (neglected) hands down the best is Mequirs #39 heavy duty vinyl cleaner - followed up with some 303.

My personal triumph was taking a 4 year old gti owned by a smoker from ugh to "is that my car..I can't believe that is my car"

Sure it took 5 hours - but it was fun...

tales from a product junkie..