Chrome plating of leather stamping tools

[donaldsinyard]

I recently purchased a set of used leather stamping tools in rather poor condition. The tools are chrome plated steel. The chrome is chipped off some of the tools and the underlying metal is rusted. I would like to try one of the small plating kits to replate them. Will I need to remove all of the old plating or can I remove the rust and replate the chipped areas. Thanks.

[fly]

It would be best to remove ALL of the plating, because you only see some of the rust, moisture has already contaminated the metal even if you don't see the rust yet, and it is easier to get a even surface when you do the entire piece, and you want to get the rusted area smooth again also.