What was the wood type? If it was redwood, you may not see the brightning as you would suspect. Can you take a picture digitally and post it? You may get more responses.
I think the wood was oak,? anyway a day later the wood was
alot brighter, after it dried, I used penofin cedar color on it and it
looks great for oak... after it dried I noticed all the old stain and
varnish was gone..