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@clubman
Lacquering (or 'clear coat' if you prefer) on raw steel is a bad idea.
As I've mentioned here in the past, when I worked in the trade we would refuse to do this because, when we'd done it in the past the customers usually came back complaining that the job was going rusty under the lacquer. We had tried our best to make it work and we couldn't do it - I don't think it can be done satisfactorily.
However, if you really must do it I suggest you use some sort of phosphoric acid pretreatment:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphate_conversion_coating
This may colour the steel slightly, but it should give a key to the lacquer and some protection against rust.
If you look at old frames from the 1950s which haven't been resprayed, you will sometimes find a sticker stating that the frame has been 'Bonderized'. This is a phosphating process.