I'm finishing a walnut and cherry bench and it looks fantastic everywhere except the top of the bench.  On the top, there are a number of lighter areas - like maybe I sanded through?   Finishing schedule was:   Light coat of zinsser bullseye lacquer on the dovetails and through tenons to prevent glue stick during the assembly/glue up 2 coats crystallac grain/pore filler a light coat of tung oil 2 coats of zinsser bullseye lacquer arm-r-seal - so far two coats of gloss (planning on finishing with a coat of satin). I originally thought the light spots might be dust in the finish so I carefully stripped the top (I think to base wood) and reapplied a thicker coat of tung oil.  My plan was then to refinish with the same schedule.   Unfortunately, though the thicker tung oil has made the light areas less noticeable they are very much still present. I'm now wondering if they may have been from initial sanding after the grain filler/tung oil...or if I somehow (!?!) got some lacquer spots when I was coating the dovetails/tenons.   I've attached a photo showing the lighter areas.   At this point, I guess I'll sand much more aggressively, stripping things down to bare wood and no different in texture/coloration/reflection.   Any ideas are very welcome.   Thanks!   Aaron

That has to be devastating.

We helped our son make burial arrangements for his bride of two months, 37 yo beautiful lady. That’s a rough row to hoe. Don’t mean to be a downer, but just saying. 

If length allows, you will loose some with the length of the tenons, I would recommend using mortise and tenons in lieu of dowels. With all due respect, I would not consider the lag bolts. For fine or finer Woodworking, you need to start some where and this could be the start. If you need advise on mortise and tenons, just ask here. We all have opinions. 

Good for Derek! His work deserves the exposure, for sure.