[Arran]

Extra dark walnut is really dark, it's almost like dark brown glass bottle, I'm actually surprised that it isn't darker then it is. You may not have to strip though, you may be able to wet sand it off or rub it down with 0000 steel wool, but you will have to wait a week or more for it to harden. It may not be practical to try that with three coats of clear on top. I think that perfect brown or some lighter shade of tone spray may work, see the Philco 38-7 set that Bandersen is doing. You are still learning everyone is still learning, but for learning you are doing a great job, better then some of the self appointed "experts". I like those Grunow cabinets, I wonder who made them? Illinois had some really nice cabinet makers back in the 1920s and 30s.
Regards
Arran