"Honest wear" then in a good many instances just translates to "RUST". I'm all for clearcoating then of things old- but I see no glory in them looking old otherwise. They'll just keep better with something over them, as opposed to nothing.

the "fooling" is of your own origin, and may say more of your own inner spirit than mine.
I'm just talking about covering damaged chrome, or corroded rusted or non-shiny spokes with something that looks better and protects the bike and parts.
In fact if you read carefully- I chose the less "chromy" of the two brands I have to do the wheelset- though part of the reason is that it's more available locally at wal-Mart.

I still the gold metal paint makes an exceptional bike coating- especially of anything with sleek lines- with a good claercoat- it should be as durable as any other home spray painting- Ben sent me this frame for $20- and I've got two other bikes in the rebuilding works (Don't NORMALLY do this all that much- just happened this way right now. So I don't want to spend a great deal- especially $45 for decals, if even available-
That issue you'd be better off talking up with the cycling industry in general

I don't set prices. The oil companies and motor vehicle interests do. Ha!