Detailing cars and planes for ...too long.
I DO NOT recommend use of any wax or 'dressings' (silicone).
Wax will last no more than two months and has a far greater chance of causing water spot damage. Dressings are just BAD.
I use a few 'sealer' which can last up to one year. Don't expect any thing to last longer regardless of claim or price. My fav product for over 10 years now is Nu-Finish (orange bottle). Used as directed it will last a year. It is a cross link poly sealant w ability to condition surface. You will notice after one month (ap) water will no longer bead but will pull or separate and roll off.
You likely have an excellent buffing machine with your tools! The best is a dual action hand sander...gotta use
low profile 5.5 inch foam buf pads and you'll have a PRO finish. I use 'orange' pad for 80% of work and some I do final coat with 'blue or green'. I purchase on Autogeek.net which has very good detailing info.
Exterior rubber and plastics I luv Renew Protect (.com). These are dry seal products, one w black dye. I have had it last 6 months on tires and a full year on trim.

"Wax... has a far greater chance of causing water spot damage".

Greater than what? Where's your proof to back up an astonishing assertion like that? And what "water spot damage" are you talking about? Water spots are either hard water mineral deposits bonding to the car finish, or they're acidic etches into the finish. Either way, a good coat of a good natural wax or synthetic sealant retards such blemishes, NOT increases them. As for your favorite sealant being a cross link poly sealant, ALL synthetic sealants are cross link polymers, that's how they work. You do have the part about silicone products right. They should be avoided.

I have a black Miata. Part of the dash is black shining plastic. I use a Swifter to go over the whole dash. It is quick and effective.

I do need help on removal of bugs and tree sap. I tried some Turtle Wax bug remover which says it also works on tree sap. It was not effective. Does the stuff age? How about kerosene in water? Or is there a better product.

We have very hard water. I use a Mr. Clean car wash tool which does a final rinse with ionized water. Sounds like BS but it works great, and I never have to chamois. That means the finish gets rubbed less, and that I believe is a good thing.

NO FOOD OR DRINK ON THE BUS!!!!

What is a good way to get wax off of windows? Mine are waxy on the outside and have something (Armorall?) on the inside that won't come off. Repeated cleanings with a variety of window cleaners has just smeared the stuff on the inside.

Thanks...

When I cleaned my interior recently, I was having trouble with all the dirt caked onto the steering wheel, dashboard, console, and door handles. I had a little Formula 409 left over that I no longer use in the house. It was about as effective as plain water. Then I used a damp cloth with a dab of baking soda. That worked like a charm.

If you eat in the car, you'll need to deal with your waistline before you clean your car. Americans are so fat, because we eat while doing other things.