Metal Prime is a new waterborne primer for aluminum and steel. You can read my notes on my experiences applying Metal Prime. My parents and brother came out to visit over Christmas 1998. While they were here, Dad and I went nuts riveting. We got all of the ribs riveted together and most of the wing spars.
Some people prefer to work with a partner to do the bucking.
I've been successful bucking my own rivets with no major problems. For the large rivets, I'm using a 3 pound bucking bar, which is heavier than most bucking bars I've seen advertised for sale. The facial expression is optional. In the end, we got all of the rivets in right. No good deed goes unpunished.