Polishing bare steel

[Figuarus]

Hey guys, quick question.

Have any of you polished your front steel bumper without actually re-chroming it?

My front bumper is currently painted, and I don't like the way it looks. I want to get some steel wool and strip the paint off, then try my hand and polishing the ever-loving piss out of it, and hope to end up with a semi-shiny front bumper.

Has anyone done this, or is re-chroming the way to go?

Before and after pictures would be great if you have them!