Can you explain how you did the rubbed lacquer?
Here is a quick explination of how I've been doing this, but only time will tell on the durability.
1. Sand blank to 400 grit.
2. Applied Deft sanding sealer with paper towel with lathe running at about 800rpm. Let dry maybe 10 minutes and do again.
3. Wait until next day and then sand with 400 grit again and then MM through 12000.
4. with lathe running at 800rpm I'd drizzle undiluted Deft laquer on top of the blank with a folded Viva paper towel on the bottom trying to get as even a coat as I can across the blank.
5. leave the lathe running and the laquer evens out nicely.
6. Repeat as needed.
You can get maybe three coats on in an evening but usually I only get two on in an evening. I'm finding that if you get lines in the finish from the previous coat that you can even it out on the next coat by rubbing the blank (lathe running) with a towel wetted with laquer.
Please understand that This is a new process to me but I'm liking the results.
OBTW
The pen in this post never saw a final sanding or buffing at the end. what you see is what came of the lathe.
I will try to buff the next one to bring out more gloss.