Carpentry and Woodworking - Changing stain color under lacquer

Due to a problem with our new stair railing we had to have several fir balusters & posts replaced. The first carpenter and finisher is out of the picture. The new finisher tried to match the original color and finish but said he couldn't use the same stain and process as the original. He has applied two colors of Varathane gel stain (layered, walnut & then mahogany) and catylized lacquer. The top stain color is much too red and the replacement posts are extremely noticable. On a couple of the larger posts you can see where the second color was not completely applied and the result is uneven color. He is coming out today to finish the job (buffing?) so we will be talking to him to see if he can rectify the problem. What might be the best thing to do to get the post back to a more brown color? Can we do something to change the color ourselves if he is unable or unwilling to do anything? The original finish is a mix of two McCloskey stains (Special Walnut & Colonial Maple) with the lacquer tinted with the same stain. Thanks for any ideas. We're just sick over the problem.

May

The red can be neutralized by applying a green tint (either stain or lacquer) over it. This will move the green closer to a brown and away from the dominant red.

If your original contract with this finisher was to match the existing stair parts, don't pay off until he does.

Thanks, George. The finisher was able to tone down some of the red by adding a coat of brown stain. It did make the main posts darker but is acceptable as there is a lot of variation in the balusters. A big improvement overall. The contract said "as close as possible" so I guess that's what we got! We may try the green ourselves on a couple balusters that still seem a little too red. It is so difficult to find competent workmen around here so we are getting used to doing things ourselves rather than having to re-do someone else's work. I grew up under the influence of my grandfather, a fine carpenter and boat builder and miss the ethics and workmanship he represented.

Thanks Again!