The ultimate connection by design has areas where the powder coat does not reach well which causes rust in the corners of where the corners of the base meets the angled pipes that make the pyramid shape.  The rust seems to come prematurely as the raw metal is exposed to the elements. The rust does not affect the structural integrity of the hitch but it does affect the aesthetics of it. We are not concerned with the rust growing to such an area where the hitch is compromised in strength.  We recommend that anyone who wants to have the hitch looking good that they brush away the surface rust and repaint the corners with a black paint that is similar to the stove/bbq paint that they sell at hardware stores.