5th wheel hitch maintenance

They were probably powder coated when new. Personally I would wire brush it allmoff the swivel plate and grease it liberally. Less friction that way.

Once a year I wire brush the hitch plate down then repaint it using Rust-Oleum Black
(touch up hitch and pin box as needed)

I also use a 'teflon' plate
NO GREASE on head (which just ends up messy/attracts--holds dirt & grit/gets on you, pin box and clothes)
NO GREASE.....that's what the 'teflon' lube plate os for

I keep my hitch sprayed with something like WD40 or an equivalent, to reduce corrosion. I don't like smearing grease all over the plate as it collects dirt & dust and must be cleaned prior to hitching up; a real mess. I also have a nylon disc on my hitch pin which helps.