The best approach is to take it somewhere and have them sandblast it.  Places that make headstones often will sandblast stuff cheaply.  Then buy a good Ceramic type 2,000 degree exhaust paint and follow the directions for curing.  Don't get the exhaust too hot all at once.  If you cannot cure it in an oven - then start the bike and just run it for a very short period - like 10 seconds at first......then let it cool for a while and do it again.  Each time you can run it just a little longer.  You don't want the paint to smoke.  If you cure it properly it is pretty durable - if you get it too hot too quick it will flake and peel.

3M stripping wheel will do a great job, painted my muffler and tail pipe years ago (like 7 years now). 3M wheel and bbq paint. Run the wheel over the entire piece to be painted wipe down with acetone, paint. Several short heat cycles, fully cool down between each one, then go for a 20 minute ride.

BBQ flat black is less expensive than 2000 degree header paint, just as durable, easy to touch up if needed, cheap and readily available.

Used a belt sander to rough up chrome. Didn't try to get chrome off. Rustoleum High Temp Primer and paint. Stays on good. Took about an hour. Autozone.