Paint/prep help and how to install S281 Spoiler (99+)

stang2004 · Apr 11, 2007

Ok, so i purchased a Saleen S281 Spoiler for my 03 GT. It is the wing only. No hardware, light, instructions, etc.

First.
I am thinking of doing the prep work myself to save money. I have read before that there is no reason why ya shouldn't. I know the basics of Paint/Prep etc. I was wondering if anybody has a good article with a How to, that gives a good step by step through the prep and paint process. (I'm also planning on doing my side mirrors)

Secondly, there is no instructions
Can anybody point me in the right direction on how to install? Hardware? 3M tape?

Thirdly.
Where can i purchase the 3rd brake light without being raped. And is there a specific hardware kit that i need or can i pick this stuff up elsewhere.

thanks

Seraphitia102 · Apr 11, 2007

Installing the S281 wing is tricky. If you're doing the paint and prep yourself, make sure that your paint is SUPER STRONG because an insane amount of bending will be required to fit the wing on. If the paint is not thick/strong, expect the paint to crack as you push that wing down to make it flex to slide over your trunk.

Let me see if I can still find my instructions and if I do, I'll scan it or post it here.

stang2004 · Apr 11, 2007

Seraphitia102 said:
Installing the S281 wing is tricky. If you're doing the paint and prep yourself, make sure that your paint is SUPER STRONG because an insane amount of bending will be required to fit the wing on. If the paint is not thick/strong, expect the paint to crack as you push that wing down to make it flex to slide over your trunk.

Let me see if I can still find my instructions and if I do, I'll scan it or post it here.

Sounds good. Any tips or advice to help me out would be awesome as well. Cuz all i have is the wing sitting in my garage, and im going about this blindly.

Is there a special filler/primer etc that i should use? Flexible filler im assuming?

And why would there be bending involved? From what it looks like, is that the outside lip gets some 3M tape, and the wing gets laid down over the rear of the trunk lid, and the screw holes hopefully line up with the holes in the trunk.

Everything always seems simple but turns out to be a pain

TrueBlue03 · Apr 11, 2007

have fun with that...i hope you got a good one, if not, you're in for A LOT of prepping, sanding, bending and screwing

Saleen311 · Apr 11, 2007

thats one more reason why i recommend the 351 over 281

Stang|ess · Apr 12, 2007

not really super strong paint, but mix flexing agent with it.

topless98gt · Apr 12, 2007

I just got me a S281 spoiler for my 98 GT -- I test fitted it today, and it lines up great. I just need to know how to prep/paint it. I have a basic air paint gun!! Will that help?!

AmBo · Apr 12, 2007

that's why i'd buy the abc 281 over saleens. pos...

Kilgore Trout · Apr 12, 2007

Take it to a body shop and let them deal with it.

02LaserRed2V · Apr 12, 2007

I hate mine. It still sags. Someday I'll probably just replace it with the 03 Cobra spoiler..

stang2004 · Apr 12, 2007

where can i buy the brake light for this spoiler?

Saleen311 · Apr 12, 2007

I have one on my old 281 spoiler but I dont remember if all the lights worked correctly

stang2004 · Apr 12, 2007

Saleen311 said:
I have one on my old 281 spoiler but I dont remember if all the lights worked correctly

PMed

thomas91169 · Apr 12, 2007

Kilgore Trout said:
Take it to a body shop and let them deal with it.

+1

if youre really going to tackle it, make sure you mask off every area in the rear, when i mocked up my 281 to do the holes man even trying not to scratch the rear i tore up the rear decklid pretty good. its a pain in the ass and will fight you the entire time.

btw i also do plan to sell mine for a 03/04 termie lip.

Turbo92PGT · Apr 12, 2007

So does the ABC s281 spoiler fit better than the saleen? I'm a bodyman and can make either of them fit but I would rather not have to mess with it. How is the finish of both? I dont want tons of filler and primer to deal with.

Thanks

Andy

TrueBlue03 · Apr 12, 2007

thomas91169 said:
+1

if youre really going to tackle it, make sure you mask off every area in the rear, when i mocked up my 281 to do the holes man even trying not to scratch the rear i tore up the rear decklid pretty good. its a pain in the ass and will fight you the entire time.

I KNOW THE FEELING!!! same thing happened to me. had to get my trunk lid repainted! the damn thing was also permanently bent to one side when i tried to get it to sit flat on the trunk.

And my rear LED's are still not working properly for some reason...my wiring must just suck.

**and NOTE that the pre 99 saleen spoilers are completely different and end up fitting a lot better than ours from what i've heard...

TrueBlue03 · Apr 12, 2007

double

tangerine96gt · Apr 12, 2007

are the fitment issues the same between the 99-00 and 01-04 styles?

stang2004 · Apr 13, 2007

I'm very confused. I guess im going to have to try mocking it up on my GT and see how the fitment is then? From what i see and read is that the wing is mostly held down with 3M doublesided foam auto tape. And that there are two screw holes in the bottom of the spoiler which line up to the holes in the decklid.

I was personally just going to do the prep/filler work. Then let a autobody shop lay down matching paint. Then install the spoiler.

If it is infact bent or warped, what could get it back into shape? Heat gun? Let it sit out in the hot sun?

Any tips on any part of the installation would be awesome. I dont want to have to take my whole car to the body shop just for a wing install, and not have my car for a week.

Seraphitia102 · Apr 13, 2007

stang2004 said:
Sounds good. Any tips or advice to help me out would be awesome as well. Cuz all i have is the wing sitting in my garage, and im going about this blindly.

Is there a special filler/primer etc that i should use? Flexible filler im assuming?

And why would there be bending involved? From what it looks like, is that the outside lip gets some 3M tape, and the wing gets laid down over the rear of the trunk lid, and the screw holes hopefully line up with the holes in the trunk.

Everything always seems simple but turns out to be a pain

I still have to locate the instructions, but yeah, there's bending involved because if you fit the wing on your car right now, the hole on the wing won't align with the keyhole on your trunk until you bend it.

You should definitely use the urethane flex additive before painting. That'll help keep the paint stable when you're bending/flexing the wing to fit.

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