On May 7, 12:44 pm, "Walter R." wrote:
Thanks for your detailed instructions, Kate. Looks like I have my work cut
out for me.

....

Unless there is a finish coat of varnish or shellac or similar on top,
the stripper will do very little if anything on a penetrating stain.
But, if it is a finish laid on top of the wood instead of being soaked
in, it will allow you to remove it first.

It depends on what you're after as a finished product -- if you want
to simply refurbish an existing finish and there isn't a varnish or
other layer as you suggested initially, a quick sanding to remove
dings/scratches and a new similar oil-based penetrating stain will
blend into the existing and leave a uniform color. After that, it's a
choice of whether you want a hard finish like a varnish or something
more subtle like an oil--both have advantages/disadvantages...

If you want to get back closer to the original wood color before
staining, you could try the oxalic acid bleaching route...

There are as many ways in detail as there are people to supply their
ideas...