Yep, you are absolutely correct on all of the above. The only defense I got is what
Red said in "Shawshank Redemption":

"There's not a day goes by I don't feel regret. Not because I'm in here, because you think I should. I look back on the way I was then: a young, stupid kid who committed that terrible crime. I want to talk to him. I want to try to talk some sense to him, tell him the way things are. But I can't. That kid's long gone, and this old man is all that's left. I got to live with that."

I will admit that my condition and my truck's condition are mild results compared to some other parts of my life, but,nevertheless, his statement probably covers a lot of our lives. The sad part is that by the time we realize the wisdom of it, "That kid's long gone, and this old man is all that's left" about sums it up. (Thankfully, my marriage survived the young kid and this old man is much better for it!)

Ceramic coating, and you can easily do it yourself. It lasts well over a year here in Utah with all the sunshine and the salt from the roads. Clean the paint really well with a mild dish detergent (not a car product which will contain various things that stay behind). Use a clay bar, then rewash. Use soft water to do a final rinse. Then apply the coating. Note that many products say "ceramic" but really aren't. Do a little research to find something real that is diy. I find it a lot easier to apply the ceramic than older waxes. You can add more layers, called stacking, if you want a thicker protection.

Professionally done it will last longer. They use better products but those require special procedures. And other than the cost it is a lot easier to have someone else do it.

Either way, ceramic coatings are really good.

Stick with a polymer to protect the paint. Rejex is very good so is the most expensive Meguiars they sell at autostores.....it's a polymer forgot the name....maybe ultimate.

Lexol for the leather interior.