You might get more responses if you post this in the Home Decorating forum along with a photo of the room.

Yep....try Home-Dec. if you haven't.

The "distressed" look....
* I often ask our customers that mention it, if they plan on being in their home a while!
* It CAN be a BIG detriment to re-sale efforts.
* Some distressed looks aren't sealed very well, and can look BAD years down the road.
* It kinda goes in cycles (like clothing!), like many "Faux-finishing" looks.
* "F/F" just DIED here a couple years ago, along with many areas. Nobody does it anymore....

Not trying' to be a "Negative Nellie", but just give careful thought to a project like that in an area that can "make or break" a home sale....

Faron

Yep, very good point, Faron. I guess I've looked at too many habersham pics!

My main objective is to get a darker color on the cabs. Now I'm thinking I can wash them down with...something called TSP?...and use gel stain to darken.

If my understanding is correct, I would basically just be painting a transparent layer or two over the old finish. But would I need to put a clear finish over it to protect it? How durable is it?

So how is gel stain different from a glaze? And should I use this TSP?

You should post over in the Kitchens forum -- there are several people over there that have successfully used gel stain on their kitchen cabinets.

Use POWDERED Dirtex instead.

Usually needs no rinsing.
Most TSP's need to rinsed 2 or 3 times....

Yep! Nothin' wrong with Gel-stains!
They aren't a very good "wear-layer" though.
When they've cured/dried, some type of clear finish should be applied.

Faron

Thanks so much, all of you!

I will check out the other forums, too. And I'll let you know how it turns out!