There is chrome powder coating that looks EXACTLY like real chrome plating.....you can't tell the difference sitting side by side.

Sometimes it will have vary slight blue highlights but if done correctly there is no difference at all.NONE!

As far as real plating goes......whatever the finish looks like on your parts BEFORE plating.....is exactly what your finish will look like when chromed....it will just be shiney!

So if you want polished parts after plating,they need to be polished before plating.If you see sandmarks,blastmarks,nicks,dings ect. you'll still see them.