paint for cheekplates?

[Marionete]

Moving on down the list of projects for Runaway, I have removed the excess corrosion from behind the pintle straps and other hardware. Does anyone have a good suggestion for a hard protective paint for aluminum?

Also, does anyone use a thin plastic shim between the rudder and cheekplates? It would seem that such a thin walled film would help to prevent abrasion and removing the finish on the painted aluminum.

Thanks!

[BarryE]

Did mine years ago;
Sanded clean, primed with zinc chomate primer (available at any auto parts store) and painted with interlux matterhorn white, same as the mast.