Does anyone know if chrome can be painted with spray paint for example to get the shiny colored look?  I have heard about powder coating but not sure if applying any paint over chrome will give the same effect???

I personally wouldn't paint chrome if you want it to stick unless you blast it with abrasive blast.  Are you looking for a silver under candy look or are you trying to cover chrome?  Powder coating has many cool colors and effects and is tough as nails but again you have to rough the chrome enough for it to stick well.

Powder coating isn't that expensive, I have done several parts of my bike with it. It looks great and holds up awesome! I'm going to do the crank case covers here shortly. Pic sucks I know my phone was set to the wrong mode when I took it.

I had a pro do it. Much easier and they even media blast the chrome so it will get a really good adhesion. It is not that hard to do yourself but a lot of equipment and space is needed to do it. I had them do my license plate mount, tail light, side cover, tool cover and both engine covers for around 45 bucks. They were multi-coated. Almost any type of metal can be powder coated. Chrome, aluminum and such.  It will take anywhere between a week to two weeks at least in my area especially when it is winter time, that's when everyone is getting their stuff done.

Thanks guys!
I will start looking around my local auto paint shops for some quotes.