This is a door where someone stuck some blue tape to it and peeled off some of the existing stain along with the tape.
Trying to patch it, this is my second attempt. My first try, I sanded it but I don't think I sanded it enough. Plus I think it was too dirty, the edges looked like mud. So I tried again, resanded the area, this time I did a wet sand with 220g and it looked a lot cleaner. So I applied the stain but now I'm getting a darker line around the outside of the patch where the new stain is covering the old stain. I tried touching up the edges with acetone, this is laquor stain, acetone is the only thing that really cleans it, but I didn't have much luck. I was also careful sanding the edges of the patch each time to avoid ridges.
I'm thinking for my third try to sand it again but this time wet sand the edges so the old stain has more of a gradual transition from existing to the bare wood. Meaning I would create a gradient around the edge. And then I would go ahead and apply my stain. The stain is also pretty light, it was original sprayed on in a shop and I'm applying it with a brush and rag.
Any ideas to make this patch invisible without refinishing the entire door?