Keeping it clean and reducing rust

Any advice on keeping the taco free from that off-road dirt and reducing rust? I want it to last a long time. I've heard of something called Hydrosilex which is some sort of ceramic hydrophobic coating. Are these products safe, or am I going to be playing with warranty and such?

 

Dirt isn't the enemy, it is salt and brine. In the rust belt we use many different products such as fluid film/Woolwax, POR15, CRC, Krown, etc. I suspect for your use you'll want something that dries. Fluid Film and Woolwax stay wet, especially in warmer weather.

Given that you live in CA, I suspect your vehicle will definitely last a long time. But I say that as someone used to the rust belt where if you have a 10 year old vehicle with no body rust, you're doing something right. I even went to CO last year where they allegedly use a lot of salt and they still had vehicles from the 1970's rolling around as dailies that were very clean looking and they didn't look like they were obsessively loved.

 

Cosmoline for the underside.



Collinite for the shiny side.

 

I use that shiny chit for my boat. Ceramic glass coat for the shiny side on the truck.
Cosmoline for the win on the trucks chassis.