For Staining Details, Try Pipe Cleaners

It's hard to get stain or paint into narrow spaces. But I solved the problem with nothing more than a wooden handle and a pipe cleaner. As shown above, I drilled two small holes in one end of the handle of an old foam brush, bent the pipe cleaner in half, and stuck one end in each hole.

I dip the pipe cleaner into my finish and work it into just about any tight spot. When I'm done, I just pull out the pipe cleaner and throw it away. I then pop in a new one, and I'm ready for my next project.
—Bill Allmon, Fort Worth, Texas