You planning a future in detailing kev? you seem to have really got into it, good man.... i'll be askin you soon instead of dan and guy! 
ref the refurb i'd always thought it was almost impossible to get the shadows done right if it's the metal thats damaged, they're doesn't seem to be many forum members with happy endings.
Yeah I love detailing. I learn nearly every day, do lots of reading and lots of practise. I know my polishing machines well now and the limits of both. Really like the rotary, when before I was sh!t scared of it lol. But to answer your question, no, not a career for me I'm afraid. I'll just help friends & family etc. Dan and Guy are really good, lots of experience between them. I'm just a padwan

The shadows are a nightmare, if they are never touched they gleam, if they get scratched you can notice it a mile off. I had a hairline scratch on mine.... I used VW Karlack (clear coat) to fill it, a little jiggery pokery and used my dual action machine polisher on a low setting to blend it in, it worked a treat and you can never tell it was there.
I really wouldnt know what to do if the metal got scratched. As you say, if other members dont have happy endings then it may just be a matter of get a repair done 'get it as best you can' then live with it.