A method of preparing an implant for bone in-growth comprising: providing a metal implant body, the metal implant body having a metal load bearing layer on an outer surface, the metal load bearing layer having a plurality of pores therein, the pores configured to promote bone in-growth into the load bearing layer providing calcium sulfate hemi-hydrate providing a diluent mixing the calcium sulfate hemi-hydrate and the diluent to form a calcium sulfate paste applying the calcium sulfate paste to the load bearing layer such that the calcium paste substantially impregnates at least a portion of the pores and forms an excess layer of the calcium sulfate paste on an outer surface of the load bearing layer and wiping the calcium sulfate paste to remove the excess layer and thereby expose the outer surface of the load bearing layer while leaving the calcium sulfate paste impregnated in the pores.
