u/Cyclone-wanderer

I’m restoring an inherited buffet that belonged to my great grandmother (she assembled it and originally stained/varnished it).  I’m trying to preserve as much of the original finish as possible and only repair areas where the finish was missing/bare wood. The piece is likely mid-century or slightly earlier and has a very aged reddish-brown cherry tone now.

I spot-stained one section with General Finishes oil-based Warm Cherry (3 coats), but it turned out noticeably more pink/red than the surrounding original finish.

I also sampled General Finishes Candlelite gel stain, which looked browner and more muted.

1. Can Candlelite gel stain be applied lightly over cured Warm Cherry stain to tone down the pink/red and blend it closer to the aged original finish? 
2. Should my idea work? 
3. Any tips for application so it doesn’t get muddy?

I will finish the piece by applying General Finishes Arm-A-Seal satin topcoat. 

Bottom edge is area of question

I have a vintage MCM (~1950s) wood buffet with original finish that I’m trying to preserve—not fully strip/refinish if possible. My great-grandma originally purchased this new, assembled and applied finish herself.

So far I’ve:

* Cleaned with Murphy Oil Soap to treat cigarette smoke staining.

* Used mineral spirits to remove buildup.

* Lightly steamed some dents and scratches. 

* Used a Weiman filler stick to fill in 1 large gouge and various cat scratches and punctures. 

Photos after treatments. The top and front edge has damage where the clear coat/finish is gone in areas (see photo), especially on one side. 

https://preview.redd.it/bk6a2h879czg1.jpg?width=2581&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2d44e2f727bc63e5507a8a4f72c1e3fcf4b2e6e6

https://preview.redd.it/akjw9g879czg1.jpg?width=3022&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=93b1b87af149fd0d32f1c70f417266d8f50ecb5b

My goal:

Make it look better without doing a full refinish.

How should I repair this?

* Can this be blended with a light overall coat (wipe-on poly, etc.)?

* Would something like toner or restore-a-finish help here?

* Or is this past the point where partial fixes 

Appreciate any guidance.