Instead of clear coating just use paste wax.It totally stops rust , easy to apply, protects paint and chrome ,lasts years....I havent used that particular brand of electro plating but I use to work in a shop that had those small brush type plating kits for copper silver gold and nickel.If you prepare polish and clean the metal you can get professional results..but you cant plate over chrome very well.Always did copper first then nickel on highly polished metal and multiple coats.Sometimes copper silver then gold,Clean metal with lacquer thinner and no fingerprints.Buff with jewelers rouge