Hi Geoff

Are you still able to hold it in the lathe, if yes then a thinned tung
oil could be put on, wait 10 min or so, then turn on the lathe and spin
off al the excess, and wipe the outside while spinning to get any
that's flung to the outside, before it's able to harden up.

Just a thought, before I nod off ad go to sleep.

Have fun and take care
leo Van Der Loo