Question: Polished Flats, Engraving, Gold Inletting, and Rust Bluing

I've been working on a commemorative 1911 for a retiring Army Officer. He wants the slide engraved as well as having polished flats, gold inletting, and rust blued. Rust bluing requires the surface metal to be prepared and handled during the application. The black oxide needs to be carded (removed) with a fine wire brush.

What is the order of these operations so the engraving doesn't get muffed up? My guess is:

1) Polish slides flats
2) Engrave
3) Gold inlet
4) Rust Blue

My other concerns are scratching the polished flats during engraving. Removing scratches on a polish flat surface is a nightmare! Also, the rust bluing should have no effect on the gold inletting but the fine wire brushed could scratch the gold. Maybe the gold inletting should be done last?

All suggestions welcomed.... thanks!

If you use the real fine brushes that Brownell sells you will have no trouble . The wires are .003 . Run the brush no faster than 1200 rpm. Preferably slower. If any dust gets in the inlays just remove it with a red rubber eraser. I have done this a lot.

When carding off, stay off of the gold as much as possible.

these won't keep you from slipping but they will help erase small mistakes
https://www.borideabrasives.com/PublicStore/product/Standard-Mold-Polishing-Stone-Kits,108,285.aspx
i bought the gold star kit I think it was 138 us dollars. sorry about the focus