I've been reading threads on flipping bikes. I am slowly revamping and old Schwinn Continental, step-thru, baby blue. I'm replacing tires, cables, cable housing, brake pads onto a cleaned and lubed frame/wheels. The bike was $5 and everything else is maybe $50.

I like the faded, oxidized paint. And the rust in frame scratches and in the chrome looks OK to me. Have I just done up a bike to flip like everyone else or is beautifying the paint part of it too? Is rust to be dealt with?

Is there a style of restoring bikes where the character of its years is left as much as possible and necessary items to do with rider comfort, safety, etc are what is replaced... Rustoration?