Final drill rudder skin to dimpled stiffeners?

When back-riveting the stiffeners to the rudder skin last night, I went past the edge of the back rivet plate (despite telling myself again and again to be careful and not do that!) and creased my rudder skin. It is un-usable. I'm re-ordering.

Now for the question - I have dimpled stiffeners and a brand new un-dimpled, un-final-drilled skin. How do I go about final drilling the skin? Just cleco the dimpled stiffeners and drill away? Just make really sure that I'm at 90 degrees?

Or do I re-order the stiffeners as well?

Thank you!

just final drill the skin by itself

I would just drill the skin by itself. Too much chance of widening the holes in the stiffeners. Not optimal, but I did several replacement parts that way and everything lined up nicely.

Just final drill the new skin, don't try to match drill, you could do more damage the good. I did it several times and the holes aligned just fine

Back rivet

If you're using a standard size back rivet plate and some sort of spacer, draw some extended back rivet plate lines so you have a visual reference. Only took one mistake like that for me too.

Like everyone has mentioned, Van's does a pretty good job with consistency of their hole locations. I would be surprised if you find an alignment issue with your new skins.

Perfect! Thanks for all the advice, guys!

And Larry - I agree, it only will take one time. (Jinx) I thought I was being careful. But between blue tape and black marker, I'll try to avoid making the same mistake again

Thanks Guys!