On saturday I got up and decided that it was time to get the priming done on the vertical stabilizer parts.  I had done some research on how to setup my Harbor Freight cheapo HVLP gun, and set out to put the tips into action.

I setup a makeshift rack outside to hang the parts from and went to work scuffing the parts, then wiping them down with acetone to remove any residue or oils from fingers.  Then I hung the parts on the rack and mixed up a small batch of primer.  To make a long story short, I needed more pressure at the gun, a cleaner filter on the gun, and a little more time to experiment.  I didn't get very good coverage, and the primer has an orange peel texture.  However, I do feel that the protection is probably adequate for my climate.

Once all the parts had dried I brought them in and started the final assembly, riveting components together as called for.  The rear spar gets most of the initial work riveting the spar doubler and spar caps together, then riveting the rudder hinge brackets in place.  The hinge brackets were difficult to squeeze, so I had to drive those rivets closest to the bracket.