We used a Swiffer mop with ACV solution on glossy walls. But nothing really works perfect - Nasty Stuff - I worked on Personal Computers back in the OK to smoke in the office days - OMG - Turn one of those babies on in a Non Smoking Room. Made your eyes water.

quote:

Originally posted by Russ59:
What about cleaning the HVAC ductwork? I'd imagine the smoke is coated in the entire HVAC system.

It sure will.

Luckily, though, a thorough cleaning of the HVAC system should clear that problem. CAUTION: Not all HVAC cleaners are the same. Do your homework!

My wife and I smoked in our home for eighteen years. We weren't heavy smokers, but it was certainly enough to leave evidence on surfaces. It's now been eleven years since there's been any smoking in the house. I don't know--maybe somebody who's never smoked can detect it, but I'm pretty sensitive to cigarette smoke smell ever since I quit and I can't smell it--even after having left the home for up to two weeks and coming back in with it having been closed-up all that time.

I should think a thorough cleaning of everything in the home, incl. the HVAC system, carpeting, etc., plus stain-sealing and repainting, should solve the problem. Particularly if you add the ozone generator to speed things along.

quote:

Originally posted by Russ59:
What about cleaning the HVAC ductwork? I'd imagine the smoke is coated in the entire HVAC system.

It helps, but getting the dust and stuff out doesn’t remove the nicotine tar coating in the ducts and heat/ac system.

quote:

Originally posted by Russ59:
What about cleaning the HVAC ductwork? I'd imagine the smoke is coated in the entire HVAC system.

Yes, I agree. We have a company rep coming Friday to give us an estimate. Going with a reputable company, not one of those you see advertising $99 specials.

Clean it with TSP, then use Kilz (original). You can’t use oil over latex so you may have to use the Kilz latex.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
Clean it with TSP, then use Kilz (original). You can’t use oil over latex so you may have to use the Kilz latex.

That is usually the rule of thumb, but the whole benefit of Kilz Original is to remove the whole oil/latex concern from the project. Oil based Kilz (1000) can be painted over oil or latex, and will accept either a latex or oil topcoat. This is why professionals always carry an aerosol can of the stuff with them when doing the prep.

I painted houses in Fl back in the 90's.
I would rather have been be out in the heat than inside dealing with decades of heavy smokers.
What a nasty job washing it all down or stripping wallpaper off, ceiling coating, etc.
Dark brown walls with spots of whatever the original color was in shapes of pictures, bookcases and whatnot.

We used Kilz back then to seal it down after getting the worst of it off.
They smelled like fresh paint when we were done with it, no idea how long that lasted though.

White pigmented shellac. Zinsser BIN is a good one. Should seal the color and smell. Do not use a waterbased product for this job.

I had servpro come in and ozone my father's house. Killed the cig smell completely. Had it painted after that, you would never have known a smoker lived there. We also removed all textiles. Carpet, drapes, everything.