Matt’s RV7 Build Log

–Fixed items from HS punch list

The day job is keeping me extra busying these days but I did get to sneak some work in on the airplane this weekend. 

–Finished HS riveting

Final HS Punch List:
–Check skin edge for proper deburring (completed: 3.23.07)
–Torque rear spar bolts (completed 3.23.07)
–Touch up nicked primer
–Check front spar rivet (completed: 3.23.07)
–Check rear spar rivet (completed: 3.23.07)
–Rivet front tips left and right (completed 3.23.07) 

–More HS riveting

–Finished interior riveting of left HS assembly
–Started riveting of right HS assembly 

–Riveted left HS assembly

–Finished riveting HS front spar
–Started final assembly of HS 

–Primed HS skins
–Started rivet front spar 

–Finished riveting HS rear spar
–Began assembly of front spar

–Test fit pieces
–Began riveting rear spar

Note: Misfit lower rear spar stiffener. I had drill out 2 middle rivets. The holes became enlarged. I replaced with 5/32″ rivets. 

–finished prepping all HS parts
–washed all HS parts
–acetoned all HS parts
–etched all HS parts with Alumiprep
–primed all HS parts with Napa 7220 Self Etch Primer

I debated what priming to use for a long time. After checking with Van’s recommends as well as the many online sources, I settled on rattle can self-etching primer. The convenience is a big factor. Although it technically needs a top sealer, this RV will be hangered and Van’s itself recognizes Mar Hyde self-etching primer. Good enough for me. This first round of priming I tried building a spray booth in the garage. Priming went well but the spry booth performed so-so. There was still a lot of paint fumes throughout the house and  the booth itself didn’t vent really well at all. I am gonna have to try some mods before doing the VS parts.