Air Gap intake back form media blast.. clear.. paint or run as-is?

Aluminium gets a thin oxidation layer on it almost immediately that prevents further deterioration. This also prevents glue products adhereing well. There is a surface treatment for glueing from I think West Systems. Paul Lamar of rotaryeng.net recommended it. He is gone now and I am not sure what his son is doing with that site.
Yep, I'm aware of the oxidation on aluminum. I've owned Harleys before they chromed everything from the factory. What a royal p.i.a.