Go to www.brownells.com and order "custom oil" gloss aresol and "certistrip"stock up on fine sandpaper or 0000 steel wool. Go according to directions on the stripper to remove all finish, using old toothbrush in checkered areas. Sand it all over real good, taking care to stay out of checkering. take duct, cloth, or masking tape and cover checkering EXACTLY at outer edges. spray light even coat all over, let cure, use steel wool or sandpaper to knock down finish until grain is completely filled (usually within 4 coats), repeat steps but sanding/steel wooling between coats to just rough up finish for bonding purposes, repeat steps until it looks DEEP (usually 15-20 coats), Remove tape from checkering areas, lightly work finish in checkered areas, 2-4 coats will usually do it. NOTE-be SURE to NOT attempt to spray too thick or too much per coat!!!!!!