Nickel first before hard chrome?

[Daveleeander]

I am buying a hard chrome kit to repair some antique hydraulic valve spools. I am going to hard chrome them, but since they will be out in the weather, and part of the spool is exposed (top part), I am wondering whether I have to nickel plate the spools before chroming. I have read the manual, and see where chrome is porous, and the underlying steel will rust.
Anyone have any answers before I buy the kit. If I have to get the nickel kit too, I would like to get them at the same time.
Wife will only have one coronary that way.

Thanks,
Dave