[Ron Ramirez]

There should normally be no need to stain, since the factory did not use stains; they used tinted lacquer.

I see three mistakes here:

1. You should use a good finish remover/stripper instead of sanding a finish off;
2. Never use sandpaper with a low number grit (coarse); and
3. If you must sand, always do so with the grain, never across the grain.

Only extra fine sandpaper on the order of 400 grit or better should ever be used on a radio cabinet, and that only as light sanding after every three or so coats of lacquer to level the finish, not to go through it.

In this case, it looks like you have the choice of either trying to replace veneer where it has been sanded through, or stain just the bad spots, seal, and lacquer the entire cabinet. The spots will always show, unfortunately.

We have toning lacquer available to us today, to replicate the colors originally used at the factory. It can be difficult to find. Do a Google search for Pond Cove Paint; they sell every color Mohawk makes.

These things happen. And I am no refinishing expert by any means. In fact I would rather work on chassis than cabinets.