Here’s one for you finishing gurus. I am building Mike Pekovich’s small Mission style cabinet with leaded glass door. I’ve scored some really sweet figured quarter-sawn white oak. I will fume it when done. However, I’m going for a finish that is a bit lighter than the traditional dark Mission style finish and yet still want the rays to really pop and contrast.  I have fumed a number of pieces over the years, and am always a tad disappointed in how the fuming seems to “muddy” the figure and leave less contrast than I would like between figure and background .  

Yes, I know that there are a number of ways to finish QS white oak that don’t involve fuming, but for a variety of reasons I find fuming to be convenient and satisfying in many ways, so that is the basis of my question.  Might I avoid the “muddying” by simply shortening the fuming time? Or are there other tips out there?

I have no problem with combining the fuming with other finishing methods and am saving a pile of offcuts as test pieces.

Thanks.