You got some of it right
Rust and wet conditions with no ability to clean for days = plating
Smoother....no
Chrome is only as smooth as the steel it has been aplied to
I have a mix od chromed and plain ol 4140
My long range p-dog rifles are not plated
Thanks for that info, now I can make a more informed decision.
I may retire to a wetter part of the Pac NW (not much moisture on this side of the hill
) and that may enter into my calculations.
Geno