Perfect day for priming
Hours: 5.5 | Posted in Bulkheads, WingsAn unexpected warm weekend provided the perfect opportunity to prime the parts I had ready — essentially, the firewall and center section components, plus the aileron pushrods left from the wings. The air was right for priming, warm and dry, and things moved quickly, though I did have to etch & dry the parts first. After priming the parts, I let them dry for awhile, then sprayed the visible side of the firewall parts with Rustoleum Hammered from a rattle can. We picked out the Dark Bronze color the other day at Menards, and I think it looks nice. I was impressed with the pictures I saw from some other builders who used this paint, and though it may not be as durable as something like JetFlex (nor come in as many color options), I appreciate the fact that it can be easily touched up by buying another can from any hardware store. Word on the street is that it reaches its max hardness after a week or two of curing.
While I had the primer out, I poured some into the aileron pushrods to coat the insides, and pop-riveted the ends on. (Hint: don’t prime the mating surfaces of the pushrod and the end piece, rather, install them “wet,” as the thickness of two coats of primer makes an already tight fit an impossible one.) Later in the evening, I squeezed the nutplates onto the center section pieces, and riveted the web stiffeners to the forward bulkhead, as well as dug up and installed the snap bushings.
