I always sand blast to etch the chrome and prime with an epoxy primer followed by a high build surfacer to be sanded smooth.
Have had good luck with this on super hard surfaces, including porcelain, like appliances.
The pits left by the blaster provide 'tooth' for the subsequent coatings.
You don't have to remove all the chrome, just etch it with the blaster,and get the rust spots clean.
