help i have an old mantel that i am trying to make look better its very dark and i want it lighter im using some stuff my brother gave me called superstrip but its not as easy as he said it would be. is there anthing that would make this easier for me im applying this stuff with a paint brush and using a scraper to get the old stain off i have a mess here there is also alot of groves in it so i cant get all the superstriper off and like i said its not easy to do please someone help me!

thanks victoria