Robert -
You are asking for opinions regarding taste and personal preference, so you'll get a bunch of answers.
Personally I really like the look of a black muffler can with the chrome tips. I like the contrast and painted mine that way about 2 years ago with VHT paint and so far so good.
unless you are going for a total show car and people will be looking at it from underneath, you'll never see the pipe that goes to teh flange so I wouldn't waste more time polishing it.
I painted mine with the same VHT paint just because, but have no idea how it has held up because I can't see it.
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