Any tips on making my headlamp cover looking as new again? Short of replacing it. Any input will be appreciated. Cheers!

 

I'm not sure about Australia, but we have a lot of services over here in the states that refinish headlights for a pretty reasonable cost. A local body shop in my area offers the service, so you might try a body shop or detailing shop.

 

Sand off all the clear coat starting with 320 grit dry (which will get if all off quickly), then move to 800, 1200 and then 2000 wet sanding till the surface looks milky and all the scratches are 2000 grit ones only. Sprey with 2K clear coat, two wet coats. Let dry properly and wet sand again with 1200, then 2000 and then polish with cutting compound and polish and they will look like new. Did my wife's BMW last weekend as a dry run for my car. Very pleased with the results.

From 2000 grit the clear coat converts it to perfectly transparent, its great fun.

 

Stateside, there are any number of DIY kits for refinishing your headlight covers. Complete kits come with both the polish (to take the old, yellowed clearcoat off) and protectant to re-protect the covers. What I've heard is that the raw covers, unprotected, will weather and get cloudy again within a few months.

Complete kits sell for about $25 in the US. You'll need to research options in Oz. Good luck.

 

Meguiar's sells a headlamp refinishing kit that includes a brush (used in a power drill) and Scratch X (liquid abrasive/polish). Works really well also. When you're satisfied with refinishing your lights, put a clear protective cover over it, like 3M Cleartastic. I did that to my wife's car and it hasn't re-clouded one bit in over a year.

 

We offer a kit that includes everything you need to restore the look of your headlights. It is also advised that you protect them after you restore the look. For more information Click Here.

 

Thanks you guys for the input. Cheers