If the finish is intact on the dresser with the light areas, the stain won't soak into the areas where there is finish. But am artists brush and diluting an oil based stain and applying a little at a time to the light areas until they match will be the best way. Then put a coat of finish on the whole thing when the stain has dried for several days.

Always use the finest grit you have. it might even out once you apply a finish....but it may not. i would go over with a very fine steel wool....then you may need to restain. Are you using an oil based wiping stain?

Hi lindac92. I'm using minwax dark oak wipe on/off stain for both pieces. The first dresser - yes, I've removed the old (varnish/shellac/laquer or whatever it was) as it was crackled. Artists brushes - okay. Sounds like this will be a long drawn out process. Would a hair dryer on low between coats of stain be okay?

For dresser #2, I do have steel wool...I think it is 0000... so I'll go over it again and restain. That will be easier than removing a top coat with scratch marks.

Thanks for your help!

A cracked varnish can be fixed by using a solvent and brushing it on. Smooths out the finish< What did you use to remove the old varnish? From the pictures it looks like you haven't removed all of it ant the stain soaked into the surfaces differently.

Dresser #1 - I started off trying a product called 1850 furniture restorer. It was supposed to smooth out the finish. Instead it dried in a swirly mess and lifted some of the colour near the bull nose edge. I don't know what I did wrong - instructions said to apply in small circle with steel wool but something went wrong. I sanded it off using 220 grit on my mouse.

What?? Did you use an orbital sander???

nope. Those were made by steel wool and my puny arm muscles! I really wasnt pressing that hard.

This is what the instructions said "Soak a small piece of 0000 steel wool in the refinisher....Working in a circular motion, rub a small area to dissolve the finish. Continue by overlapping each area until the entire surface is completed. Wait at least one hour to dry...."

I tested on the back and it seemed fine so I proceeded to use it on the top. I don't know if I didn't use enough or I used too much....whatever the case, the finish dissolved and dried in a swirly pattern. I kept hoping the swirls would smooth out as it dried but they didn't. It was a total disaster so I started sanding the next day. The uneven colouring (not the wear marks or the lifted finish) are probably where I sanded too much.

This was supposed to be a quick and easy project . :(

well, I gave up on the idea of blending the light areas in - it looked dreadful. I sanded down to bare wood (80 grit, 120, 220 and then hand sanded with 400), applied stain and... still blotchy. SIGH. I've never had this happen when I redid tables. So I sanded yet again and am now going to try a pre-stain wood conditioner. The wood seems to have areas with more or less grain so maybe that is the issue. Or maybe there was something on the top of the dresser years ago that soaked in and still linger beneath? Anyway, debating about trying gel-stain. I've never used it but given how this wood takes stain, it might be a better choice.

With the refinisher....you rub on with steel wool then wipe with a paper towel to remove the old gook. If you are trying to just smooth out the finish you stop rubbing in a circular motion as soon as the finish has softened and let it smooth out. perhaps you didn't apply enough product.