Breton, I've had the same range for 8 years and have HATED every minute! Bane of my existence. That sucker gets marked up just boiling tea in the kettle. Can't just wipe it off -- gotta use Bar Keepers Friend and elbow grease. Then rinse, rinse, and rinse again. Now, I've always been somewhat fastidious about keeping my pots clean, always scrubbing the bottoms with Brillo with every wash. So I can't attribute the range mess on dirty pots. And I use all kinds of pots - Calphalon, All-Clad Stainless, hard anodized, Revereware -- without exception, everything leaves a stain (or some kind of shadowing around the shape of the burner). It's so annoying -- can't just cook and wipe, gotta SCRUB. The good news is we're in the midst of a remodel, including the kitchen, and they're bringing in a gas line!!! Breton, you totally have my understanding. I wish I could tell you that over the years it gets better, but it sure didn't in my experience.

DO NOT use a standard pinkish color pencil eraser on your cabs. They leave marks and sometimes streaks. If you're going to try it, at least try it in an inconspicuous location, like the inside of a door. Try the kneaded grey artists erasers if you're going to use a regular eraser. They are designed for delicate jobs and are the least likely to leave marks. That said, if I didn't live with an artist and have lots of those erasers floating around, I would turn to Goof Off. That stuff is fan-freakin'-tastic. And never causes damage. BTW -- in the same vein, if you ever have paint that has gotten onto things that shouldn't be painted (for instance, drips on your hardware, faucets, etc., I highly recommend a product called Painter's Pal. They used to carry it at Home Depot, but I haven't seen it there in a while. I'm a sloppy painter (because I hate taking the time to prep first, bad, I know) and this stuff really saved my behind in several rooms.

I have a 3 y/o and matte paint. I'm perpetually familiar with the oiled handprints that are all over my walls. I use a barely damp microfiber cloth (half damp, half dry). Rub the damp part over the marks just once or twice, then rub with the dry part. I've found that by rubbing with the dry, and sort of feathering out the moisture, I can avoid a lot of the "swirl" marks that water can leave on the paint. That takes care of almost everything. If something is left that isn't fixed that way, I usually just touch up the paint. One of the perks of matte paint.

dcarch, "There are many many many "stainless steel" types, and they are all stain resistant, not stainless." Oh man, as a boater I can vouch for the truthfulness of that statement! I've spent hours & hours scrubbing various stains & rust from so called quality marine grade "SS". (grin) Our home's front storm/screen door is made from very heavy stainless steel/brass & powdered coated. It has to be powerwashed & scrubbed/polished every spring. (ugh) Last night after I'd suggested the Magic Eraser or Bartender, DH shouted out, "Hon, can you come look? I got the spot off the sink!!" You know guys, they'd rather do it themselves...especially when they caused the, eh, *issue*. Anyway, here's what he used. We use it to get fender marks off our boat's gelcoat. He figured if it didn't hurt Isle of Somewhere's gelcoat it wouldn't hurt the silly sink. He was right. So, I guess there's another weapon in the arsenal if anybody's else has black ugly marks on their porcelain sinks. We bought ours at West Marine but it might be available at hardware stores (but probably not...pretty sure it's a marine product). /tricia Here is a link that might be useful: 3M Boat Stuff