Painting Nerf bars (tube steps) advice needed

[ZMan2k2]

So when I first got my truck, I went with chrome tube steps, because that was the way I was thinking of going with my truck. But now, I'm leaning more towards black accessories rather than chrome (thank goodness). I've looked into powder coating, but for the price, an extra $75 would get me new tube steps. So I'm thinking of painting them with either paint or bedliner.
My question is, does anyone know what kind of prep work would be involved in order to make sure that the paint or coating would stick? Just sand it really well, or would I need to do something else? Any help would be appreciated.

[Abeo]

Sandblast to remove the chrome, and if you go the paint route look for something tough like a good urethane paint (they require a different primer than regular paints). You won't have good luck with anything if you try to paint over the chrome, you'll have to roughen it somehow to get the paint to stick.

[craigcd]

Doubt they are chrome to begin with- more likely stainless steal.