To the best of my recollection, Hellcats were delivered with zinc chromate protective paint over all exposed aluminum surfaces-wheel wells, etc. since upon receipt the delivered Hellcats would receive one of at least 5 different paint schemes involving Blue, Deep Blue,Gray, white, and Black-all peculiar to Navy commanding authority. It was not at all uncommon to see Hellcats in combat with the appropriate Fuse/wing color schemes and still have zinc chromate painted wheel well and wing butt surfaces, but white was the predominate paint applied to the wheel well, wing butt surfaces.
hookem