Stacy, I use a procedure that was published in the Journal of Histotechnology, Vol 25, No2, June 2002. *Modifying the Modification: How to Redden Shy Gram Negative.* It has worked for me consistently for many years without the picric acid. It does use some acetone. I get the ragents from PolyScientific. If you don't have copies of the Journal, just email me at mdpr...@gmail.com and I will send it to you. Mequita Praet _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet