[Ron Ramirez]

The factory did not use stains; they used tinted lacquer (toner) to achieve the color(s) they wanted.

You should do the same thing.

The toner goes on first, followed by several coats of clear.

Well...the proper approach is...strip, lightly sand, two coats of sanding sealer, grain filler, sand, add more grain filler if needed until surface is completely smooth. Then sand, toner (two or three coats), and clear coats (four to eight, lightly sanding with progressively finer grades of sandpaper every two coats).

Now, Steve Davis, Russ (Phlogiston), Kirk, or any of our other cabinet experts may jump in and correct me. Feel free