G'day from Canada !! ... What part of Australia are you in ? I lived in SA for many years.
Re: CA application. I use a blue paper shop towel. Cut into thirds, then fold into strips about 2 cm wide. Put 3 or 4 drops of thin or medium CA on one end of the strip and rub it back and forth along the bottom of the *slowly* turning blank. Use about 3 blasts of an aerosol accelerator. Wait a few seconds and then repeat. This time put the 3 drops of CA a little ways from the previous drops. About 10 applications covering the blank should do. After waiting a couple of minutes, start sanding *lengthwise*. I use 180 or 240 grit wet and dry. Sand smooth until there are no shiny spots. Continue sanding, with higher grits, until you get to 2000. Then polish with a liquid car cut polish. Repeat with a good plastic polish. Should be looking good by now. Good luck.