Need to paint chrome plated wheels

Hey guys,  

I've got a set of chrome wheels that I want to paint. I've called all the plating and wheel companies in my area and apparently none of them will strip chrome anymore due to chemical restrictions.

From reading I understand how to remove the chrome but then I'll be stuck with nickel  which I can't so easily  remove.  

So my question - would it be worth stripping the chrome and trying to paint over the nickel,  or should I proceed with a different route? 

Thanks!