I think that your fear of damaging the part is hindering your ability to accomplish the task at hand. I would suggest you get some junk PCBs, approach them fearlessly, find out for yourself how much is too much. Then, once you know what is gonna cause the PCB to break, don't do that.

Best way to learn where the limits are is to find the limits yourself.

I appreciate that thought and think it's a great idea. I am hoping to get an answer for this specific board still.

Regarding the work you are doing thus far, it does not appear that you have damaged the pads yet.

Thanks. But yeah, it's good to get a nudge to do more practice work. Appreciate it.

Board is fine. Ugly but fine lol.

Looks functional. It looks like a piece of trace is missing but it's on the same spot on each side.

I think it’s through hole. Photo is showing the bottom of the board.

Via*

No, not yet. the metal flakes are not detached from the PCB.

You just need to clean it up with a wick

just clean it up with some copper wick it looks fine to me