Fuselage

Elevator Pushrods ( 3 hrs )

While waiting for interior paint to fully cure 48 hrs, prepared Fwd, Mid, and Aft Elevator Pushrods per Sect 36-03 & -04.  Used drilling template to drill holes into Rod End Fittings.  Deburred holes, scratched/buffed  with scotchbrite, cleaned all w/ acetone, then primed with Napa 7220.  Ready to rivet when primer cures.

ready to prime

Fuselage

Interior Painting ( 3 hrs )

Finally completed all masking by covering 2 air vents.  Cleaned surfaces again with acetone, then used tack rag to get remaining dust.   After one more test spray yesterday, decided to not use RustOleum Hammered Silver (inconsistency, appearance concerns).  Switched to RustOleum High Performance Enamel Spray - Aluminum #7515838 in 14oz Spray cans.  Less than $5 per can at Menards.   Glad we decided to switch - it covers really well, and provides nice satin finish.  Actually has aluminum particles as part of it's formula, too.  My work shop seemed to be A-OK as a giant paint booth using 2 fans on high out the back door of garage.  Paint looks fine with two light coats.  Applied overhead, vertical and horizontally.   Waiting 48 hrs per instructions to decide to apply 3rd coat.  Used only 2 1/2 cans so far.

 

Fuselage

Masking for Interior Paint ( 2 hrs )

Great help from Nancy today masking forward areas, including hard to reach firewall area. Decided to not paint SS firewall, only aluminum angles and framework/structure at perimeter.  Applied Primer (Napa 7220) to Aft Fuse in zone above baggage area.  All surfaces in QB Fuse are factory primed. Two fans facing out back door, with 6" opening of garage door, and entire shop worked well as paint booth.  Only 2 air ducts to mask, then ready to paint interior.

 

Small area on Aft Fuse needed primer

Fuselage

Prep for Interior Painting  ( 5 hrs )

Installed Idler Arms per Sect 36=02 Step 2 - torqued AN4 bolts.  Sure moves easily.  Riveted Bellcrank Assembly.   Built Stick Link Pushrod with rod end bearings.  Drilled 2 holes in work table exactly 21.5" for AN3 bolts, to serve as a jig.  This made setting correct distance and alignment easy.  Time to prep interior to paint: used Dawn dishwashing soap (recommended by other builders on VAF forums) for oil cutting power to clean all interior surfaces.  Followed by couple hours of masking.  Nancy joined to help where there was room for two at a time.   Still more to do - but getting there (eg  air vents, SS firewall, cowling, exterior perimeter).  Will need to 1st prime some of the Aft Fuselage along upper area.

         

Fuselage

Aileron & Elevator Systems ( 3 hrs )

While I'm pending final decision on interior paint (and procrastinating a bunch of masking), I started Sect 36, Aileron & Elevator Systems (pushrods and bellcranks for inside Fuselage).   Prepared several pieces by final drilling assemblies, then deburring.   Test fit ups went well, such as the Elevator Bellcrank w/ captured bearing per Sect 36-06.  Pleased all three Pushrods were pre-cut to exact length...Yay!   Primed all except pushrod tubes.

pic prior priming bellcrank pieces

Fuselage

Flap Torque Arms ( 3 hrs )

Installed LH & RH Flap Torque Arms.  First sanded bearing surface transition to powder coated paint on tubes.  Then cleaned inside tubes, followed by priming.  Used shotgun cleaning wand - works well to insure coverage with little waste.   Torque Arms installed easily (certainly NOT loose), aligned perfectly.  Torqued four bolts.   Trial fit Flap Motor/Actuator - success !

LH Arm...outside Fuse (inside wing root area)

Fuse still on RH side so easier to reach center area ....so flying knife edge. 

Fuselage

Interior color & Flap Actuation Ass'ly ( 3 hrs )

Getting ready to paint interior color, so I've examined other builders experience and opinions on VAF.  Decided to go w/ simple spray cans, and Rustoleum enamels seems favored (staying away from lacquers ).   Recommendations are to avoid dark colors (gets very hot!), yet not too light (adds many reflections in canopy).  Staying within gray tones.   I narrowed interior colors from initial 6 to the 3 purchased yesterday to trial.  Prepared a scrap piece of aluminum w/ the Napa 7220 self-etching primer I've been using (~ 48 hrs cure), and divided into three sections.  Good results:  Decided the Granite/satin finish is too dark, and the Aluminum/gloss is too bright (although not as glossy as expected).  The one on right side is called "hammered" for it's textured appearance.  It's not as shiny, and seems a good balance between too dark vs too bright.  Plus it will hide minor defects (before and during painting), and goes on easily.   It's finish seems between satin and gloss, with a slight texture and metallic appearance.  Letting it fully cure to test it's toughness while I consider other gray options.

Leaning toward one on right:  Hammered (silver metallic).

Opposite direction in sun.   Satin one on right looks blotchy...

Jumped to Sect 34-02 Steps 1-11 to build Flap Actuation Ass'ly.  First added flat overhanging surface to facilitate clamping.  Template provided (same one used for Aileron alignment, etc) works great.  Ready to prime inside tubes, then assemble into Fuse.

 drilled, temp bolts holding LH side.

Completed LH and RH torque arms.   Temp bolts holding while I admire results