Wiper arm pivot post

What is the trick to getting the wiper arm fully back onto the pivot post? I thought that it would be simply pressing down but that is only getting the arm partway on and it's required a lot of effort to get it even partially on. I assume you should not be able to see the splined part once the arm is installed -- is that correct?

Yes, I know the paint needs to be removed from the pivot but I was having the same issue pre-paint so I am clearly not doing something correctly.