Hey guys, I'm late to this party but thought I would put my .02 euros in..
DO NOT use any sort of silicon on your chrome...EVER! When I get regs come in for chroming or repair that have had the label RTV'd on, there is always a silicon spot on the brass underneath. I usually electro-clean before going to the tanks. Normally I only need to do this for 30 seconds. When ever there's a silicon spot...I have to mask the reg and electro-clean for 30 minutes!!!
Cosmoline? NO!!! Cosmoline is great for preserving steels. Crap for chrome. You guys have to remember that chrome is porous and cosmoline, oils, silicons, etc can all stain the nickel underneath. And in some cases the brass too.
All you need to do is rinse thoroughly and put a nice carnuba wax on it. That's it. Do that and your chrome will last a lifetime. And stay away from anything that polishes.
Every piece I chrome gets a coat of wax before it's wrapped up and shipped.