No Miriam you needed to clean the machine up like this. If nothing else but to look better. You did the right thing by this machine but if you go any further you will be over your head for sure. Yes a quick polish will protect what you have done until summer. Is this the one you are going to try a redo? This summer you can sand it down smooth then have Phil prime it and spray with black enamel then add decals. Maybe not LOL