Use stain&seal in black. use a non shed cotton ball or q-tip to get right in the corners and grooves. Wipe off excess with a soft cotton cloth. Oh and mix the stain&seal with So-Slo for a more fluid consistency. If you don't want to use that product which is a professional decorative finishing product try using one of the other gel stains. good luck.

y'know, really don't take this the wrong way, but why are you doing the prep ?; for a decorative painter in the business of having the homeowner do the prep and coming in behind someone else doing the most important part of a job and then use products over someone else's pre work, tisk-tisk. Really, I am not trying to be rude, but personally I would never have a homeowner do that part of the job and then we come right behind something maybe blind sided. don't know maybe that was what the bid called for. ntl- I would use the soft contouring 3m sanding pads. They work great of things like this. They are thin and conform to your hand. also whizz makes a curved roller just for curves and spindles. good luck.

Oh wow, thank you guys! Just when I'm having a bad day, I jump on here and get complimented, and it makes my day! :) G - thank you! I didn't know people even looked at my kitchen on the FKB anymore since it was such a long time ago. I do enjoy my kitchen and still feel like it's brand-new. I can't stand clutter on my counters so I have to constantly clean, because I want it to stay new as long as possiblw! yes, I just love my corner sink. I also moved our sink from under a window to the corner, and it was a wonderful decision. I probably have 24 inches between the sink and the stove (to my left) and three feet between the sink and my dishwasher (to my right), so it's in a perfect position. If I would have had to sink under the window, I would have had to drip water on the floor all the time moving from the stove to the sink, know what I mean? It's been perfect, and I wouldn't have it any other way, seriously. It's great! You will love it! My mom still gets annoyed when she comes over because she's old school and does dishes in her sink, and hates my single sink. I love it though! It's nice and roomy. Email me if you have any more questions. I'd love to help! Claybabe - thanks! Okay, no white then, huh? I admit the grey grout I have now matches the counters perfectly, so I'm kind of reluctant to change it. but I have to do something. There are places where the grout is missing, so I guess I have no cnoice but to re-do it, or at least mis some up and fill in. Thanks, guys! Beth

Thank you, lam and peppy doodle! I have to admit I was a little bit in shock when they first took down the tape because it looked so different, but now I'm loving the change! I'm glad I'm not regretting it. I keep sneaking back into the kitchen to look at it. Seems so much brighter and lighter than before, but still warm enough with the creamy white. I can't wait to see it with the doors back on and new hardware installed. Snookums - thanks for the tip. I'm trying to keep everyone out of the kitchen and the painters are very careful, but good to know. I'd hate to have a can of paint spill all over my slate floor!