I have a free flow fuel filter , which was painted oil base paint , everytime I change the the filter gas spills on the paint and ruins it . So I was thinking water base paint so the gasoline spillage won't effect it .
You using rattle can paint? if so never used any that would hold up to gas or any other chemical.
Water borne paint in my opinion would not change it as well but I really don't know.
If you don't have a good under coat on the bare metal than nothing will holdup.
I'm just a body man not really a good painter.