Complete Noob with any wood work.

So i bought this http://ak-builder.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30558

And it said it came with a sealer but it feels like its not, just wood, so i did a water test and the water kind of soaked in but not completely.  So what would i have to do to refinish it in a darker cherry color? do i have to give it chemical bath then sand it  like anything else or because its new i can just apply stains to it?

I have same question on my O-PAP stock; it looks like bare wood with just the little bit of stain. That's the only thing I don't like on this gun. Any recommendations?