Hey everyone! I'm working on a project where I need to create a colored epoxy inlay of my client's name on a 1" Baltic Birch base panel. I'm planning to route a groove that's 1/4" deep and 1/4" wide, but I'm not sure if the epoxy will adhere properly, especially since I haven't used it before—I've mainly worked with polyurethane resin. I've heard that color seepage into the plywood can be a problem. Does anyone have tips on how to prevent this and ensure the epoxy sticks well?
1 Answer
Epoxy adheres really well to wood, so you should be fine there! Just make sure you’re aware of bubbles and heat while curing. If the wood's temperature rises, it can get worse, so heating it slightly beforehand could help. Also, too much epoxy can create heat that ruins your project—so be mindful of that! I recommend sealing the groove with a clear epoxy first before adding your tinted layer. That should take care of any color seepage issues!

That makes a lot of sense! I was concerned about the groove weakening the wood, but if epoxy holds strong, maybe I’m overthinking it. Thanks for the heating tip, too! Also, does the clear epoxy need to dry completely before applying the tinted one?