Fixing Cloudy Headlights: How to Restore Clarity and Keep the Rego Inspectors Happy

Give the whole front end a good scrub. You don't want grit from the bumper getting under your sandpaper and gouging deep scratches into the lens.

This is the most important prep step. Use two layers of masking tape around the headlight where it meets the paint. I learned this the hard way on a black Commodore, one slip with 800-grit paper and you're looking at a trip to the panel shop.

If the car has been outback, use a soft brush to get the red dust out of the gaps around the light. That stuff is basically liquid sandpaper and will ruin your finish if it leaks out while you're working.

Chuck your sandpaper into a bucket of water for about 10 minutes before you start. It makes it more pliable and less likely to 'grab'.

Start with the 800-grit. Keep the light soaking wet with your spray bottle. Sand in horizontal lines only. The water will turn milky yellow, that's the dead plastic coming off. Keep going until the entire light has a uniform, frosty look and all the yellowing is gone.

Dry the light off. It'll look terrifyingly dull. Don't panic. You're looking for any spots you missed. If there's still a patch of 'clear' factory coating, keep sanding with the 800 until it's all gone.

Now move to 1500-grit. This time, sand vertically. Why? Because when you see the horizontal scratches disappear, you know you've sanded deep enough with the 1500. Keep it wet!

Back to horizontal strokes with the 2000-grit. You'll notice the 'slurry' coming off the light is now white rather than yellow. The plastic should start feeling much smoother.

The 3000-grit is basically just a polish. Do this thoroughly in both directions. By the end of this, the light should actually look slightly translucent even when dry.

Apply a few pea-sized drops of Meguiar's Ultimate Compound to a clean microfibre or a polishing pad. Work it in hard with circular motions. This is where the magic happens and the clarity returns. Wipe off the residue and check your work.

Clean the lens thoroughly with rubbing alcohol. This removes any oils from the polish. If you skip this, your sealant won't stick, and you'll be doing this again in a month.

Apply your UV sealant or ceramic coating. If using a wipe-on clear coat, do it in one smooth motion. Don't go back over it while it's drying or it'll streak. Most of these need to cure for 24 hours away from rain or dust.