Here are a few tips from Scott Grove, the inlay expert at Easy InLay:
If you're inlaying opal, paua abalone, or mother of pearl, consider painting the bottom of the channel or the void with black, white or silver first, using pigment, paint, or even nail polish. Experiment and see what you like. We find it really makes our inlays pop!
If you're inlaying into wood, spray the inlay area with a mixture of 25% shellac and 75% denatured alcohol, and let it flash off (dry). This will help to seal the wood and avoid a "witness line" of CA glue.
Then seal the edges of the void with CA glue or epoxy to prevent pigment from bleeding into any grain.
You're then ready to paint the bottom and continue with the inlay process.
Please let us know if you have any questions by writing to us at [email protected].