So i was doing some googling looking for alternate ways to chrome the side panels, and was looking at the multi-part spectra chrome paint. Expensive, but not impossible. Doing some reading it mentioned that you need a smooth gloss black basecoat, to apply the chrome over.
I have some chrome paint i've used on clear polycarbonate RC car bodies, so i thought i'd give it a test.
Sprayed a few different blacks i have to see which gives me the glossiest finish, then applied some of the chrome over it. A good old spray can of gloss black came out the smoothest. I was tempted to polish it, but not sure what effect the residues of the polish will have on the chrome adhesion finish.
It came out more like a shiny stainless steel than chrome, but still mighty shiny, and i'm actually quite happy with it. (chrome left, black right).
I'm going to polish some of the black, and see if it makes a difference.