protecting aluminium ?

[b-bassett]

hi all



iv been hunting/scrounging both SS and Al peices whilst at work, and was thinking that some of the bits i'v aquired would make good sized battery tubes and light heads.



now the SS is mostly 316 so thats fine as-is, but the Al will need some paint or something, so...



whats the best stuff to protect it with?



i know annodising would be ideal and powdercoat would also be good but iv not got any access to them so will need to be a paint of some sort.



hope someone here has an idea



cheers



jon