The process is pretty involved, which is why it's so expensive anymore.

1) solvent de-greasing
2) media blasting (if required)
3) acid pickle / descale / old Cr removal
4) filling of defects / repair
5) cleaning and polishing to eliminate surface flaws
6) further solvent cleaning
7) caustic soap cleaning
8) electrocleaning (also caustic)
9) several rinse cycles
10) CN Cu strike plating (cleans and primes in one step, thanks to the cyanide)
11) rinse (multiple)
12) Cu (acid copper) base plating
13) rinse
14) Acid Ni plating
15) rinse
16) Acid Ni plating
17) rinse
18) Hex Cr or Tri Cr (depends upon what appearance one wants in the Cr plate; Hex is better but the raw materials are toxic)
19) rinse
20) inspect; if flawed; start again from step 3
21) polish
22) package and ship