It sounds like the doors are either not wood or are sealed instead of bare wood. Did you wipe off the stain and did the wood take the color? I refinished a new Itea console (some kind of laminate?) to change the color from blond to dark cherry. A combination of dye and stain got the color I wanted but it was laying on the surface so brushing would smear it. I sprayed with shellac and lacquer to seal. You might spray with shellac and brush on a poly finish. I would try a sample on the edge with the hinges that doesn't show.