The least expensive route would be to use alunimum and polish it, then stainless stock. the cost of chrome has really gone up in the last year but brass is so easy to shape silicon bronze is aesy to shape and to tig weld to if needed. I have made some trim like you are talking about for a hood out of steel and it added some extra weight to it the rough stock was purchased from Restoration supply out of CA. Either way you go it will take some time but it is all worth it.

REx