If you've got $100 bucks or so, I'd get it powdercoated. I talked to the guys at the shop when I considered having mine done and they said they sandblast it, I think, then powdercoat it. They made it seem like it being chrome was a non-issue. Nor should it be. Paint adheres to surfaces like primer better, surfaces that are non-glossy and kind of rough, for whatever reason.

Powdercoat on the other hand, adheres electrostatically, then forms a skin once it is baked, so you should be ok. Correct me if I'm horribly, horribly wrong on this, which I very well may be.

Also, since the powder is charged and bonds electrostatically, why is it so important that the undercoat be blasted to remove paint and the like?