Fred, that looks good. The key is patience. Luckily I have that!
I use Jerrow's Inletting Black (can get it in gold as well). Works well, easier to apply than candle soot. Not so much fun when the night class student does not clean the work bench when he finishes at the end of his day. (But that is another story)
Current progress:
Still far from done but I am happy with my progress.