My current brand of CP seems to darken feathers significantly. Anyone have a favorite that they find works really well at preserviing the colors of feathers? thanks,

I use the flexcoat one.
It works out OK for me.

Me also

Bill - willierods.com

I just lay them out with perma gloss as learned from Terry Henson.

Mike
Mikes Custom Fly Rods

Try Cason's solvent-based CP. I'm having great success with it for feather inlays. In fact, the solvent-based CP works well for everything except snake skin inlays, but his water-based CP is terrific for that.

I like the water based cause if I don't like the way they look I can dip my brush in water and it softens the CP and I can adjust them.

Bill - willierods.com

The initial clarity of Cason's CP, combined with generous working time reminds me of the 50/50 solution I used to make with old 811 CP. However, Bill's CP maintains a solidly true consistency that was never present with the Gudebrod and it takes very little to get the job done. I have been more than pleased working with it on my feather, thread and snakeskin worK.

Ditto what Gary said!
Mikeb

Home Town,Gretna VA

I use Flex Coat and have had no problems, except once I tried it on dyed feathers and the color ran out, but that wasn't the CP fault.

Matt Smith
Greensboro, NC

I always rinse the feathers with warm water before I use. Even on dyed feathers, works well.

Bill - willierods.com

Thanks everyone for your input, much appreciated. I have some ideas to try that may improve my inlays. Mick