I don't think scale effect is a good idea. It is most applicable to small scale models that you view from a scale distance of hundreds of feet. We generally don't view model cars from that far away.
Also, some chrome plating of kits looks, to me, a lot like fresh chrome. I have seen some freshly chromed parts that looked fantastic. There does seem to be a very slight bluish tinge to chrome compared to shiny aluminum, but getting that slight a tint would seem to be very difficult.
A bigger problem to me is the sprue attachment area which lacks plating after you remove the part from the sprue. Some kit mfgs take good paints to make their attachment points where they do not show, but others don't worry about these attachment points. So many of my friends strip the chrome, prime the parts and alclad them. Personally I usually just touch up the spots with Floquil "Old Silver." Only if the chrome is really bad will I do all the work of alclading.