I use Formby's or the ACE Hardware brand of furniture refinisher. Put on some rubber gloves, get some steel wool, and wipe it on. Keep an old towel handy, and as the varnish "gooks" up, wipe it off until it's the color you want. No sanding, or stripping the wood bare. I then use Minwax finishing wax, and I'm done. Doing a stock takes about 30 minutes.