Decorative chrome plating as in automotive trim etc.& hard chrome plating are different processes.

In decorative chrome plating the substrate is usually nickel plated (sometime copper & nickel) & then a extremely thin chrome plating on top.

In hard chrome plating the chrome plating is much thicker & applied directly to the substrate which results in a much stronger bond w/the substrate. The thickness of the plating can be controlled to meet the specific application.