Do not take the lacquer off.
Have you had a look at the sale of goods act? Guidance and links
Goods are of satisfactory quality if they reach the standard that a reasonable person would regard as satisfactory, taking into account the price and any description.
Are you a reasonable person tho? 😉
From waht you can see from that pic it does look like laquer cracking to me – not the metal, It would be a very strange place for metal to crack along a plate rather than accross it.
However cosmetic defects are covered as well. You do have the right to your money back but you might find this rather hard to exercise.
What has the retailer said? If you really want your money back you need to go to the retailer armed with all the facts from the Sale of goods act and be prepared to use the small claims court.