It will dissolve lacquer finishes that where put on older SS pins but, should not affect the newer CC on modern pins. Alcohol will dissolve latex paints but not enamels etc..

That paint must be latex based as alcohol will dissolve latex. I used to test swimming pools with alcohol when the owner didn't know what type paint was applied previously, latex or epoxy paint. If you can rub the paint with a wet cloth (alcohol) and come away with paint it's latex if not epoxy.

Magic eraser and alcohol, just careful how aggressive your are and then follow it up with a good Novus cleaning and a Naphtha wipe down before wax.

Looks like it is cleaning up nicely.

Yes any Novus 1 or 2 will remove wax but you should never NEVER use either just to remove wax. Both 1 and 2 are abrasive and remove the top coat ever so slightly with each use, just use naphtha and a good all cotton cloth to remove wax. I only use either Novus products for scratches/ball swirls or extremely dirty PF on older pins.

Simply a judgement call really unless they're deep ones and then you'll have no doubts. I really don't worry about them unless they're deep or to the point noticeable after a good cleaning. Ball swirls become noticeable over time due to dirt buildup in the scratches and look sort of like Milky Way galaxy swirls on the PF.

That looks to be original to me and sorry but I disagree with those who say Novus will not remove any top coat just because it's "hard as nails" CC, an abrasive is an abrasive in the long run and if used long enough it will remove material period.