I grew up in Mn. Mn & WI have the worst salt & chemical use on street than any state, all others are just catching up. Your two sticks of TNT is ant piss to true salt use! Not JK
Military doesn't work on the road where the salt is as much as a car or truck does.
Drive your quad in the ocean a couple of times, then tell me how the scrathes held up! not out back in the sand.
I think a good paint will last longer, once it scratches it won't be held in to grow as well as under paint, paint will chip off easier and powder coating won't.

My .02 worth! Pat