Do you have a camera so you can post some before pictures?.
My thoughts on plane restoration have changed over time. Mostly my restorations are to just get a plane into a good user shape. I avoid lapping unless it is absolutely necessary.
Some might like to make a plane shine like the day it left the factory. That is a lot more work. Some of my planes will not win a beauty contest, but they can make shavings just as good as the others.
jtk