Pics of Lowered Riv

Well the car has come a long way since I picked it up about a month ago. Its coming a long quite well despite a few set backs. This is just the cosmetic work, the mechanical work is a whole other story! I got around to buffing the car the other day I'm pretty happy with the outcome. Oh and I'm ordering the replacement clips for the front trim this week.

BEFORE (day I brought it home):







AFTER(lots of work!):

Nice ride! It cleaned up really nice! Almost like a totally different car

I can't believe ppl let their cars get that nasty (not you)! Nice job on the buff man . Get yourself some Back to Black (nice cleaner for black trim and the lower gray molding) and it'll look even better!

nice work. when i look back now, mine actualy was a disaster tho..
driver seats lether riped, dashboard cracked..some plastic peaces broken, climate controll broke, from exterjor, lots of scratches and paint was off from some places, antenna did not work, on engine..omg..all bulleys bad, belts bad, sparkplugs bad, wires bad, on steering inner and outer tierods where bad, 3 disk brakes rusten and rear bads where allmost weared out....well if i tell everythign haha guess it will take a whoel A4 paper. but anyways good luck on making it beautyful again:D

Looks great!
My God, what was that film that was on it? Years and years of tree sap along with oxidization?

Looks great!!!!

Looks brand new, 13 years later.

Great job Vinny, this Riv has finally found its rightful ownwr!

Quote :

My God, what was that film that was on it? Years and years of tree sap along with oxidization?

Apparently a protective film - the hood paint doesn't look to be peeling!

Car looks great! Congrats!

Boy, your Riv cleaned up really great.
A little TLC really keeps a car looking good.
Thanks for rescuing her.......

Thanks for the positive comments guys! It was a royal mess when I got it. It had been sitting under a tree in a yard for six plus months. Luckily I came to the rescue and saved her. The owner was selling it for parts but the car was in great shape, I had to save it! You can see before and after pics of the interior mess I had to deal with in another post. I'm amazed how the paint came out, no too much damage but not perfect. I can't be happier though. This car will never be neglected like that again!

Lots of hard work so far and its not done. Today I order new struts, shocks and springs to bring the ride back. Next pay check new brakes all around hopefully with some SS braid lines!!

Also installing new stereo with components up front and XM radio. Just have to pick up the antenna adapter. Stay tuned!

Abaddon wrote:

I can't believe ppl let their cars get that nasty (not you)! Nice job on the buff man . Get yourself some Back to Black (nice cleaner for black trim and the lower gray molding) and it'll look even better!

Sweet, thanks for the suggestion. I was wondering how to attack those parts. I'll go pick some up.

VJD2 wrote:

Thanks for the positive comments guys! It was a royal mess when I got it. It had been sitting under a tree in a yard for six plus months. Luckily I came to the rescue and saved her. The owner was selling it for parts but the car was in great shape, I had to save it! You can see before and after pics of the interior mess I had to deal with in another post. I'm amazed how the paint came out, no too much damage but not perfect. I can't be happier though. This car will never be neglected like that again!

Lots of hard work so far and its not done. Today I order new struts, shocks and springs to bring the ride back. Next pay check new brakes all around hopefully with some SS braid lines!!

Also installing new stereo with components up front and XM radio. Just have to pick up the antenna adapter. Stay tuned!

Kudos to you for saving a perfectly good car that otherwise would have needlessly been parted out and crushed!


It's really amazing how filthy some people let their cars get.
I think mine was used for a day care center judging by all the candy and small plastic bits of toys I found when I cleaned it up. The kids must have loved skittles.
The prismatic unicorn sticker on the dashboard was also a nice touch.
Then there was the paint. While not as bad as yours, it had been neglected for many years.

super job buddy! super job!!

Nice job cleaning her up! The body looks slick as hell now.

It makes me sad when people don't take care of their cars (especially Riv's!). Glad she's found a good owner.

I'd recommend cleaning up the tires themselves (unless you're planning on modding/replacing them - then disregard!). Meguiar's makes some good tire cleaner/polish and it takes just a few minutes to wipe on. Then your tires will look as slick as the body.

florence_x wrote:

Nice job cleaning her up! The body looks slick as hell now.

It makes me sad when people don't take care of their cars (especially Riv's!). Glad she's found a good owner.

I'd recommend cleaning up the tires themselves (unless you're planning on modding/replacing them - then disregard!). Meguiar's makes some good tire cleaner/polish and it takes just a few minutes to wipe on. Then your tires will look as slick as the body.

I agree. I have no idea how people are able to treat their cars like they do. I mean this car was what, 30+k new and they treat it like this?

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm actually working on getting some new wheels and tires but the guy I'm dealing with is being a PITA. Almost at the point of giving up but I'll shine up the stock tires in the mean time.

Sweepspear - You would not believe the crap I found underneath the rear seat and the fronts. Must of had kids, candy and gum everywhere just like your car. Disgusting!!

WOW!!! .Like BMD said, this Rivi's found it's proper home...
I doubt the guys who built it would believe the paint came back like that!

My 2-cents-worth:

- We all have our favorite chemicals (no, not the Percocet!) but for the rocker panels/air dams I like Stoner Trim Shine... After a good scrubbing to get rid of any embedded dirt, this aerosol is an easy-as-hell way to bring back the dark gray color with a bit of satin shine.

- Because everyone seems to have had different luck with the 'restoration' products, before they get any harder to find get yourself a new set of cornering lights...

Again, great job

I thought he did a very good job with the cornering lights. besides the paint, they were the next thing i noticed.
I do agree with buying a new set before they are obsolete, as I need to do the same when I can squeeze into the Mod / car budget.
But for now I'm just going to have to wet sand and bring them back as best I can.
I know they yellow from the inside too, but I'll do what I can with the exterior and I am paying a friend to wash and detail the exterior and interior over 2 weekends coming up soon. My job is to sit in the chair and re-work the corning lenses. I have been scolded regarding their condition.

Rickw wrote:

My job is to sit in the chair and re-work the corning lenses. I have been scolded regarding their condition.

Sweepspear wrote:

VJD2 wrote:

Thanks for the positive comments guys! It was a royal mess when I got it. It had been sitting under a tree in a yard for six plus months. Luckily I came to the rescue and saved her. The owner was selling it for parts but the car was in great shape, I had to save it! You can see before and after pics of the interior mess I had to deal with in another post. I'm amazed how the paint came out, no too much damage but not perfect. I can't be happier though. This car will never be neglected like that again!

Lots of hard work so far and its not done. Today I order new struts, shocks and springs to bring the ride back. Next pay check new brakes all around hopefully with some SS braid lines!!

Also installing new stereo with components up front and XM radio. Just have to pick up the antenna adapter. Stay tuned!

Kudos to you for saving a perfectly good car that otherwise would have needlessly been parted out and crushed!


It's really amazing how filthy some people let their cars get.
I think mine was used for a day care center judging by all the candy and small plastic bits of toys I found when I cleaned it up. The kids must have loved skittles.
The prismatic unicorn sticker on the dashboard was also a nice touch.
Then there was the paint. While not as bad as yours, it had been neglected for many years.

I just lifted out the backseat of mine and found barrets for a little girls hair, gum wrappers, a condom (still in the wrap fortunately), and a packet of Emergen-C, along with what I assume is a pic of the previous owners daughter, and she is no beauty queen either.

Eldo wrote:

WOW!!! .Like BMD said, this Rivi's found it's proper home...
I doubt the guys who built it would believe the paint came back like that!

My 2-cents-worth:

- We all have our favorite chemicals (no, not the Percocet!) but for the rocker panels/air dams I like Stoner Trim Shine... After a good scrubbing to get rid of any embedded dirt, this aerosol is an easy-as-hell way to bring back the dark gray color with a bit of satin shine.

- Because everyone's seem to have had different luck with the 'restoration' products, before they get any harder to find get yourself a new set of cornering lights...

Again, great job

Thanks again. I believe you are the second person to recommend the Stoner Trim shine so I'll probably pick that stuff up and try it.

I guess I'll have to start looking for a set of corner lights although mine aren't that bad and I didn't spend too much time on them at all.

Rickw wrote:

I thought he did a very good job with the cornering lights. besides the paint, they were the next thing i noticed.
I do agree with buying a new set before they are obsolete, as I need to do the same when I can squeeze into the Mod / car budget.
But for now I'm just going to have to wet sand and bring them back as best I can.
I know they yellow from the inside too, but I'll do what I can with the exterior and I am paying a friend to wash and detail the exterior and interior over 2 weekends coming up soon. My job is to sit in the chair and re-work the corning lenses. I have been scolded regarding their condition.

I used a product called Plexus which I got from the motorcycle world used to clean headlights, visors and other various plastic parts. Does wonders on car stuff too.

http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=5007&L2=33&L3=&L4=&item=TUC_53-1104_G

KillaKeninaRiv wrote:

I just lifted out the backseat of mine and found barrets for a little girls hair, gum wrappers, a condom (still in the wrap fortunately), and a packet of Emergen-C, along with what I assume is a pic of the previous owners daughter, and she is no beauty queen either.

LOL, that is some funny stuff right there! Its amazing what you can find under seats and such in the interior of a car. Crazy.

WOW! Your riv looked a lot worse than mine did when I got it and I am amazed how well your's cleaned up! Mine had sat under a tree in someone's yard for 2 years before I bought it, saving it from the crusher. What did you do to make yours look so good? Wax alone isn't cutting it for me.

Eldo wrote:

KillaKeninaRiv wrote:

ot;]
I just lifted out the backseat of mine and found barrets for a little girls hair, gum wrappers, a condom (still in the wrap fortunately), and a packet of Emergen-C, along with what I assume is a pic of the previous owners daughter, and she is no beauty queen either.

LOL, that is some funny stuff right there! Its amazing what you can find under seats and such in the interior of a car. Crazy.

Don't forget behind the cassette/cd holder. I found a large collection of pens, bank envelopes (no cash ) and years worth of atm receipts. Ok, maybe there isn't anything good behind that.

VJD2 wrote:

Sweepspear - You would not believe the crap I found underneath the rear seat and the fronts. Must of had kids, candy and gum everywhere just like your car. Disgusting!!

Ew! That's awful.

When I cleaned out my Riv after getting her, I found a spare set of keys to a Cadillac CTS.

Luckily, I only bought the Riv from my dad. So he got his keys back.

moldymac wrote:

WOW! Your riv looked a lot worse than mine did when I got it and I am amazed how well your's cleaned up! Mine had sat under a tree in someone's yard for 2 years before I bought it, saving it from the crusher. What did you do to make yours look so good? Wax alone isn't cutting it for me.

Don't forget behind the cassette/cd holder. I found a large collection of pens, bank envelopes (no cash ) and years worth of atm receipts. Ok, maybe there isn't anything good behind that.

Well I started with some of the baddest cleaner I could find which was TSP (TriSodium Phosphate) and washed the car with this and Meguiars Gold Classic soap. This stuff (TSP) is not paint friendly so I had to keep a constant water flow over the car as I was washing to get it off the paint as soon as possible. This removed all the grime immediately. Next I went around with some bug/tar remover and got rid of any really tough spots. Next I buffed with a polishing compound then did a second buff with a liquid Teflon that they use to buff airplanes (I have a friend in the aviation field) and tada! Almost perfect paint. Honestly the pics make it look much better than it is. There are still some deep scratches and swirl marks I can't get out but I'm not really worried about it because its looks fine for what it is. I'm sure a harsher compound buff would do the trick but eh.

Yup, didn't forget about behind there. I found about ten more pens, receipts, gum wrappers and a disgusting amount of ash from a previous smoker. That was gross. I hate smoke.

florence_x wrote:

Ew! That's awful.

When I cleaned out my Riv after getting her, I found a spare set of keys to a Cadillac CTS.

Luckily, I only bought the Riv from my dad. So he got his keys back.

Ya it is. Freaking amazing how gross it was! I'm surprised I didn't catch something from cleaning this car! Eww..

LOL, that is funny. I'm sure your dad was glad to get those back.

I have some work to do now, if yours came out that good I can hope to get half that out of my abused paint. I too bought mine as a parts car. It had a knock in the engine and was sitting under a tree for 2 years. It cleaned up nice, but i know it can get better.