I used Turtle Wax Carnuba paste wax on my MDX twice, after clay barring it. Now, I am looking into other products as well, especially for Polish and Ceramic Coating. In December I will be graduating, so ideally, would like hand detail my MDX for those grad pictures.

What brands and products for polishes, waxes, ceramic coatings, do you guys recommend?

TYIA

 

Depends on what you have on hand as far as tools and the amount of work that needs to be done. Over the past decade I've bought lots of stuff and narrowed it down to these for myself:

Sealants/Wax:
1. Zaino (first real sealant I ever used, well worth it but may be outdated by now).
2. Blackfire Wet Diamond (looks great on black cars, now goes by a different name).
3. Cquartz UK, have helped a few friends with it and it looks amazing once done properly.

Polish (there are chemical and abrasive polishes!)
1. Chemical -> Zaino AIO (all in one) works great!
2. Meg's M205 Good for removing light scratches and finishing polish, kevin Brown Method.

Compound (remove deeper defects)
1. Meg's M105 with Kevin Brown Method

As far as wash solution goes, I'm using a 7 yr old bottle of Chemical Guys Citrus Wash and Clear and it still works fine, just got to shake it before using it.
The key is to make sure the car is clean as every time you touch the paint you introduce micro-marring. Ideally you should be able to clean the car, polish/compound as needed, then seal her up! NO claying will be needed for a while!

 

I would recommend Griot's products as they are all easy to use designed to help make it easy. Get their Care Care tips and tricks book/vids and you will love the results.

 

I’ve been using Chemical Guys products for a few years now and truly have yet to be disappointed. You can get them on Amazon, at Walmart or Advance Auto Parts!

 

I've used Meguiar's products, the professional grade in the tan colored bottles for over 25 years. I am sure if I had a '60s Ferrari 250 GTO, there is better stuff out there for that level of car.

Polishing: On near perfect paint I'll use M205. On older cars with swirls, I used their Swirl Remover.
Waxes: I still use their M26 Yellow paste wax...because I have some left. And on my daily driver I use the Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax, good for almost a year.

I do not use the full blown ceramic treatment after talking to some people in the car club that have used it and do not recommend it. Mind you, I might use ceramic on my wheel rims and barrels even though PCCBs shed no brake dust.

Polishers: A Porter Cable 7424XP is a very good buy. I went for the FLEX XC 3401 VRG, a nice high quality true DA polisher.
Polishing Pads: I use Lake Country.

I pretty well get all of my stuff at AutoGeek. They have very good "how-to" videos as well if you are unsure about technique.
I am not a pro (whatever that means), but I get great results. Care care, be it mechanical or visual, is great mental therapy, so take your time.