if you are refurbing it to ride (rather than to look at, or be a collector's item) I'd suggest using aluminium rims rather than steel ones. That way the brakes have a chance of working.
BTW rechroming rusty steel bicycle rims is pretty much a waste of time; the metal is not thick enough to take any amount of polishing, and without polishing the metal smooth before plating, the plating will look terrible.
If you want so see just how thin the steel is, try cutting a scrap rim open and measure it. You might be surprised.
cheers