Installing the tail with the bottom skin on

[rizzz]

Hi all,

If you followed my other thread you will know I am in the middle of painting my aircraft. My aircraft is not assembled so I can do this in stages.
So far I have the control surfaces, the tail & the wings done, time to move onto the cowl and the fuselage (and then I’m done :))

Anyway, I’ve started to hesitate about something:

Until now I have not installed the bottom aft floor skin (for ease of access reasons) but given I’m about to paint the fuselage I will have to do this very soon.
My tail is obviously not installed permanently either, I’ve put it on and off many times which is easy to do when you have access though the bottom of the fuselage, but how easy will that be when I have riveted the fuselage floor skin in place and the only access I have to put the nuts on the bolts is through the 2 inspection holes in the back?

Should I perhaps install the painted tail first, then install the bottom skin, mask the painted tail and then paint the rest of the fuselage?
Or,
Perhaps I can just paint the fuselage with no floor skin installed, paint that separately and then install it? The rivets won’t be painted but you won’t see this unless you decide to dive under there.
Or?
Is this really a non-issue and am I just banging my head against the wall over nothing?

[Brett]

I painted the fuse without the lower skin. I still need to paint the floor and install it but I will probably paint all the rivets separate. Poke them through cardboard and paint. I then hope when I pull the rivets the paint doesn't get too damaged. I'm not fussed however. I won't be looking underneath much :)

-Brett

[tonyr]

Rizz...
As it is now have a go at getting the nuts and bolts in using the inspection holes only, then you'll know for sure

[Bryan Cotton]

I would definitely strip off all the paint and polish it. It is the only way.

Only kidding! Seems like riveting in the painted panel is fine. Do you still need access or is it ok to rivet it up? I will be glad to be done with clecoes.

[rizzz]

I would definitely strip off all the paint and polish it. It is the only way.

Only kidding! Seems like riveting in the painted panel is fine. Do you still need access or is it ok to rivet it up? I will be glad to be done with clecoes.

I don't believe I need access anymore but you never know hey.

[rizzz]

Rizz...
As it is now have a go at getting the nuts and bolts in using the inspection holes only, then you'll know for sure

Duh, LOL.
All that banging my head against the wall must have killed a few brain cells.

[wlarson861]

don't rivet the aft bottom skin until the DAR is headed to the airport!!! Seriously though the aft skin is the last thing you do before the inspection. I would paint the skin ( I polished ) and attach it later. You can always use an artists brush to cover the rivets. I have been to several fly ins and so far no one but prospective builders have bothered to notice that I have not polished the bottom skins since the build was complete.

[ccm]

I installed my tail after the bottom skin was installed. It was quite time consuming getting the nuts on the bolts but went absolutely fine. Expect to drop the nut multiple times and need to fish it out with a magnetic ended stick. Try doing it yourself before riveting the skin though.

[avee8r]

I second the advice to "rivet the bottom skin on as the DAR/FAA is on their way".
Once its done you'll realize how handy it was to be open.
Happy Landings
John
N50NX

[rizzz]

Thanks for the replies all,
I will just paint the panel by itself and install it later on painted (as late as I can).
I don't really care the rivets under there will not be painted along with the rest, I don't think too many people will notice.