Cody. the stock on my Sarasqueta had been finished with TO a few months before I tried the stain. Went right through the hardened finish and believe it or not, brought out some hidden fiddlebck grain. I couldn't be happier with the result. Hope this helps you out. To hell with the chemistry of alkanet root. Also, Pilkington's spirit stain stinks. Rubbed right off when I applied the first coat of True Oil. Chopper