This procedure will not hurt the decals but you stay way from them until the rest of machine is smooth. We will go over the decals with more shellac and linseed oil to protect. I don't want you to get get carried away with the rubbing and abrat the decals. When you have finsihed this smoothing then I will show you how to add more shellace to protect the machine. One step at a time. Jan is right don't over do things yet. Get the feel of melting the shellac smooth again.