I'm guessing, technically, almost anything can remove metal. I'm sure even a wire wheel removes some metal. But, without having the proper experience, it's hard to know what the acceptable level of removal is. I've been told that medium Scotch-Brite pad is more abrasive than a wire wheel. I wouldn't have guess that.
I've just called my friend's friend's machine shop and am going to get his advice - probably have the surfaces and bores looked at, a proper cleaning and probably going to replace the valves, which seems to be the consensus, and have the seats recut.