You are not happy with the finish you have to start with so hence the question..
The one Peter suggests is possibly one of the best finishes and the most common used in finishing pens.
There is possibly as many different finishes as there are pen turners
Each and everyone of us will come up with a different finish or a different method of finishing pens.and guess what, they are all right.
I have used many over the years and have settled on two, friction polish and CA for wood and porous materials.
What make of friction polish..? Well whatever is cheapest.. No matter how much you pay for it it won't last much longer than the cheapest.
CA, what type? Whatever you find is easiest to put in and whatever you do to get best results. Me personally use thin CA and then go through the grades of Micro Mesh.
Lacquer.. Yep, again it all depends on what you find best, do you want speed at drying? Or best finish. .? To be honest try a you the car shop types until you get the one you get on with best. But many will come on and say use Halfords or another speciality that's never been heard of North of the Watford Gap...
What I am getting at here is that when everyone has given there "wise words" try each and everyone of them until you get one you can easily use, gives the right finish and best of all you enjoy doing what you do..
if you have learnt anything from this reply then the most important thing is that you pay attention to what I say and only use CA and friction polish.. It's my way and the only way.. 
Ok, who said you could use my avatar.. 
oops just realised its not mine..
