Hmmmm...this sounds very interesting. Any particular brand you have been happy with?
I also think that bothering with panels/films is a bit too extreme since I do stay off trails known to be seriously bad for brush anyway. The problem is the lack of recent info so surprises happen.
So, yeah, a tougher wax would be great. Would a spray version of that, applied at trailhead make any sense? To make stuff slide off more easily? As opposed to the paste I had read some use.
I wouldn't trust the spray on "wax as you dry" stuff. It's fine to quickly re-apply some wax after a wash, but it's not in any way shape or form going to save you while going through bushes.
If you are actively staying away from thick brush areas, that's probably the best way to keep the scratches off.
This is really a topic about how far you're willing to go to keep a shiny clear coat, because unless you are driving through large tree branches, these "scratches" are at worst only tearing up your clear coat, and most of the minor ones you can either fill with some scratch remover, or engage in a complete re-wax, which includes the clay bar and wax remover, polish, and re-wax. The deeper scratches into the clear coat are going to be there no matter what, and honestly once you have a few (or in my case hundreds), you are an off-roader and it's not going to really matter because that's what you do.
But for sure, Synthetic wax is by far the best protection short of a clear wrap, which also scratches, and unless you're dropping $400+ every time you off-road, is going to show when you get off the trail and wash it.
As far as brands? I'm pretty sure this is a debate similar to oil, grease, batteries, etc. Everyone is going to have their favorite brand, and they're probably all really good if you go with a trusted name. I personally have about 15 Mother's products that I used to use all the time on vehicles long since retired. Pre-kids, I would spend entire days detailing my cars. My 4runner is my family's off-roading/camping rig, and so I now wear my dirt/scratches/dings with pride. Everyone always laughs that whenever we get home the first thing I do is go to the spray and wash, of which only a few drops ever touch the paint, lol. My last trip I spent about $30 worth of quarters and that was just the under-carriage/suspension, followed by a driveline lube back at home, and a lot of bolt tightening/adjusting. I still haven't washed the body, haha.
But I will admit, when I do spend some time on it, I really enjoy it, and I enjoy the way it looks the one day or so it's clean. But even when it gets dirty, as long as I know I have that syn wax on, oxidization and UV damage will be at a bare minimal.
