What should I initially do to my truck as far as paint protection, accessories, etc.?

[Wmhjr]

What kind of pricing are you looking at for the bumper, front lip of hood, headlights, etc.?

In this area it isn't cheap. On last truck, did pretty much entire front (which because it was a Bighorn with painted front meant everywhere that was white, surrounding the black grill). Also included front of fenders, about 18" of hood, headlight lenses and door handle cups and it was close to $1k. I could not find a better price anywhere. I even priced just purchasing the pieces and doing it myself, but it really was not that much cheaper - and having done some of this before, I know it's a real PITA.

Edit:

Also, definitely doing it on the new truck. Pearl white paint is a PITA. The last was Bright White, which is a lot easier to fix it if gets hammered. My '04 is white - and it looks like somebody shot the front of it several times with a shotgun just from road debris. No protection on it.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

Just drive it!

 

[Highcountry]

I am not familiar with that. Is that just a product you put on yourself like wax, unlike the ceramic coating people get done professionally?

Yes, it's essetially just a type of wax or polish. If you visit their website each product has a brief video available. I was looking for something that was easy to use, or it wouldn't happen near often enough. I wash with their pink car wash soap followed by the green ceramic wash, which is very low suds. The first time I then misted it with ceramic speed shine and worked it around prior to rinsing. I won't do the spped shine step every time because I feel like I'm just wasting money to do that too often. Finally after drying I use the 3 in 1 ceramic polish. It's a spray on, work it around and wipe off. It's best if it can sit afterward for awhile ( like overnight ) and should be applied in the garage or at least the shade.