19 Apr 2024 - 6 hours

I picked right up by deburring the new rear spar parts. Then I took all the HS skeleton pieces that were still unprimed and cleaned them up by giving them a good scrub with a scotch brite pad and some Bon Ami scouring/cleaning powder. This leaves the surface of the part scuffed and pretty thoroughly cleaned so the primer can adhere.

Here are some of the parts post cleaning and ready for primer. I just used a rattle can of self-etching primer for these parts. There were enough parts that I probably should have broken out the spray gun and used the Sherwin-Williams primer but for some reason I have a mental hurdle with that and a spray can is really easy.


Once the primer had cured enough, I clecoed the rear spar halves to the two reinforcement bars. Here it is in all its 99" of glory (I did a test run to be sure I could get the spar around the corner and up the basement stairs before I set any rivets).


The primer came out quite nice! I don't know if the cleaning helps, but it doesn't seem to hurt and is a nice peace-of-mind.


I then taped up the holes that attach ribs and brackets so I don't accidentally put rivets in those spots before all the parts are in place.


The rear spar is now firmly attached to reinforcement bars!


I got a lot done today and it did indeed come together quickly as I had hoped at the end of yesterday. I look forward to more quick progress like this as it boosts my morale after having taken over a year off of building! Also, I need to bank the morale when I can get it because I know there are lots of frustrations inevitably to come.