Did you wipe off the excess? Pictures?

I thought I had wiped off excess -- I was very frugal. I'm going to call it a day and hire a responsible adult. I tried to hire a responsible adult to begin with but I only need 1 room redone right now, so most aren't interested even when I say I would happily discuss paying them more because it's only one room. A few wouldn't neven say what products they used. I had no idea hardwood floors had personalities, but it seems they do. LOVE LOVE LOVE your comments and tips.

Post a picture of the problem area for diagnosis.

Dogs loved it though. I'm re-doing with a hardened oil.

Did you remove all the old finish to bare wood? It does not look like it. Those shiny spots look like poly. That would explain why it looks plasticky. The stain is sitting on top and drying into a film.

Oh yes, I chemically stripped and then sanded.

please hire a professional

Professional flooring person has confirmed. Please keep good thoughts coming!!! I can't believe my wood floor hell may be coming to an end. I promise I tried to get a professional to begin with. Fingers crossed. They are duraseal people. Classic grey on red oak. Anything else I should know folks?