I really like the techniques and approach you have taken here on the BG. Each of the steps is achievable by ham fisted amateurs (like me) and the attitude that you wont get perfection but will improve what you have so much is spot on.  When you finish I reckon you should post side by side pictures of before and after just to demonstrate the dramatic improvement.

Thanks for documenting and showing, it does inspire us to be a bit more bold and attempt something we might have previously thought impossible.