Ours is starting to show its age. We didn't build the plane, so I'm unsure how this is installed.
Is it "easily" removable for painting?
You should contact Vans and buy the USB drive with your planes drawings and instructions on it. That will give you information on how (mostly) it is assembled and the correct bolts, spacers, washers etc.
If you absolutely have to remove it, a 50/50 mix of acetone & ATF is liquid magic dust.
removed the nut, pulled out the bolt and out slid the spring.
If you dribble acetone and ATF around and it gets on the outside where the paint is, you may get to paint the tail of the airplane, too!Sounding like it's easier to just repaint while it's installed.