As a newbie myself I recently learnt about the 2 bucket method for washing a car (1 for soap and the other a rinse bucket to keep things clean) and how its best to use a woolen mitt of something with a deep pile rather than a sponge to wash it so you don't end up draging fine grit over the car and over time putting feint swirls into the paintwork. Think a similar things goes for chamois leathers compared with fabric cloths such as the meguiars water magnet, chamois could just drag dirt over the paint.
Other than that I tend to apply Autoglym's Super Resin Polish every now and again to give it more of a shine. There are a whole world of waxes and everything else like that but I'm starting small, reading the forums and learning what are the sort of things to do above and beyond the basics you mention above.
Some good advice here on
Polished Bliss
Started with Autoglymn's bodywork shampoo but found it never gave too great a lather, now use Meguiars NXT Car Wash which if you can't find it cheaper from any car shops Halford do it. Am sure others on here will have further suggestions too.
