The best replacement for lacquer is polyurethane.

The best alternatives to lacquer are rated as following:
★★★★★  polyurethane
★★★★★  varnish
★★★★★  enamel
★★★  shellac
★★  paint
★★  urethane
★★  poly
★  enamel clear coat
★  clear coat
★  polyurethane finish
★  stain
★  lacquer
★  polyacrylic
  high gloss paint
  enamel paint
  urethane clear coat
  oil finish
  nail polish
  hairspray
  acrylic enamel
  conversion varnish
  enamel auto paint
  polish
  varathane
  enamel nail polish
  oil wood floor
  high gloss
  french polish

Your alternative for lacquer is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about lacquer, one probably shouldn't forget about stain.

Other search terms related to lacquer and their ratings are:
★★★★★ stain
★ hvlp on wood
overspray
You have in mind a companion for lacquer and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of lacquer in all years. Click on graph for more.
lacquer
polyurethane
varnish