That fork needs to be stripped, polished and then replated. From your picture it doesn't look like you will be able to get a good finish unless you polish the life out of it. Every little pit will show.
This.
Plating a new fork, or even one that was only painted, isn't a big deal. Strip paint, treat, plate. One that has rust and chrome / nickle / copper still needs to be acid bathed, stripped, blasted, treated and then plated. It's a bit larger project. Also, you north-easterners get a short end of the stick when it comes to plating (EPA things, and such). Plating around here is much cheaper, because we have no ocean access! You want show quality plating, but you also need show quality prep. I do all the prep myself, because I have access to all the tools necessary. If you don't have acid tanks, blasters and proper post-prep chemicals, you just as well bite the bullet and get it done right.