Beginning to beautify the new-old sewing machine

 Hello,  everyone.  Since we got home with the new machine...possibly to be named Isabella as she's very elegant with most of her pretty decals in good shape...we've been learning about reconditioning these old machines. 

I followed the method at the Youtube channel Vintage Sewing Machine Garage, a fellow who apparently lives near Toronto, (Ain't the internet grand?) To clean old oil from the paint of the machine. When I came to looking at the metal covers in various places, though, I thought I should maybe go slow.

The inside of the access plate before cleaning...it's nickel colored the gold is from the light bulbs.

The outside of the same access plate.

After using silver polish, most of the glop on the inside is gone.

The front is less responsive. 

I'm starting to wonder about damage to the nickel plating. The existence of brownish specks and the way parts are stubbornly staying black while other parts are shiny and bright makes me wonder if I should buff it one more time and then coat it with clear lacquer for protection. 

The gamble of that strategy is that I am hoping the rust(?) brown specks will be stuck as they are if no air and moisture can get at them. The (Craftsman era?) leafy scroll design is so pretty and I doubt I could find a new cover with that same design.

We are also trying to rehab the veneer on the top lid of the cabinet. This may be complicated by my first attempt which involved both Endust and then Liquid Gold furniture polish. (It's an oil polish we use for wood furniture. Smells like almonds.)

We're not trying to make her into an art museum piece, but I want to sew with her and make quilts.