I run my cars through a touchless car wash regularly and DO NOT opt for wax or any options that might put a coating on the paint. Just the basic wash. A couple of times a year I wash, then apply paste wax (just wax, not one with polishing compound) with a random orbit buffer. This keeps the paint in good shape with minimal work and avoids swirl marks.
Unfortunately I haven't found a product that puts a force field around the car and shocks the s**t out of anyone who door dings it. However, I believe people are actually a little more careful around a shiny new-looking car than a dirty one. Still, the Palisade gets parked in the most remote corner of the lot!