I think I have a problem with some custom door slabs. They're solid core (particle board) cherry veneer with natural cherry edges. It looks like the veneer over the cherry edges is going to finish darker than the veneer over the particle board core. The veneer itself appears to be very thin cherry over an mdf core, much like mdf core veneer "plywood" but thinner, maybe 1/8"
My plan was a light sanding with 220, vacuuming, a wipe with mineral spirits, then MW Pre-Stain conditioner, Zar-Plus satin poly with a maple stain, then MW WOP.
This photo is after the wipe with mineral spirits. You can see the dark strip along the right edge. I have tried spot sanding the darker strip at the edge, but it didn't seem to improve it much. At least it didn't make it worse.
This is the inside of a closet door, so I could try finishing all the way to see if the conditioner evens it out or the stain covers it, but I thought I should see if anyone has had this problem first.
Any suggestions?