I am in the process of staining my old stairs. First I sanded them and then applied the prestain as the steps are fir. I proceded to stain but it seemed to me that it was not taking in the stain. I decided to let them dry a bit and then tried to remove the stain with a cloth. I now have streaks from wiping the stain and it is all a mess. I now think I may have not sanded enough...I dont know. What should I do next? Re sand the entire thing or is there something to purchase to remove the stain I applied before I sand again. Its been 12 hrs and the stain does not seem to dry. Help.

It sounds as if you did not get all of the old finish off as stain needs to be on bare wood. I would try and wipe over the stain with paint thinner as this may remove all of it or at least enough for it to dry.

As of today I think it looks like it in now dried but the streaks that I left when wiping are visible, as I thought to leave it on thicker would help, are now very obvious. Not sure what to do next.

If the stain has dried and you have not sealed it yet, then you can wipe over the stain with lacquer thinner and remove the stain and just start over.

What "stain" did you apply.... exactly....otherwise we're guessing.......brand names are OK........

"......measure Once.....cut Twice....
throw that one away and cut a new one...."