I know many of you trust my EM7000HBL High Build Water-Based Lacquer (aka EM7000) as a clear coat to protect and beautify your work.
But there’s a new product that works even better…
The newly formulated EM7000, which has been in production since March 1, 2020, is now available to our custom shop and DIY finishers.
Yep, based on your feedback, some of my last six months in the lab was spent making (parts) of this great product even better for you.
Using new resins and other ingredients, here’s what you can expect from the new EM7000:
– Faster Film Hardness = start using the finished project sooner
– Higher Resin Solids = fewer coats needed
– Improved Clarity, Resistance and Durability = better optics, enhanced chemical protection and improved mar resistance.
– Superior Burn-In = matches the level of burn-in liked so much in the 6000 series
Rest assured: the new EM7000 High Build Water-Based Lacquer performs like you’d expect — only better.
(Don’t you hate it when companies mess with a product you like….and they wind up messing it up?)
That’s not the case here.
In fact, this is the fourth round of improvements I’ve made in the last six years (cough, perfectionist, cough) without harming the characteristics everyone loves about the EM7000…
- Bonds to exotic woods, plastics, carbon fiber, metals and more
- Forms a clear “hard shell” to protect underlying color coat
- Exceptional clarity and color magnification
- Rapid Film Hardness & Chemical Resistance Development
- Self-leveling
- Non-yellowing
- Commercial and custom applications
- Fast Recoat & Stack Time
- Ultra-Low VOC & HAPs Free Emissions
- Water Clean Up / Non-Hazardous / Non-Flammable
- Available in 32 oz., 1-gallon or 5-gallon sizes
- 4 Sheen Options (Gloss, Semi-Gloss, Satin, Flat)
Do you have experience using EM7000 High Build Water-Based Lacquer? Looking forward to trying the new version? Please share your thoughts or read what others are saying below in the “comments” section.
Would you recommend this product over em6000 for a guitar finish? I’ve been using the em6000 and really like it but I’m just curious if this would be in upgrade. Thanks, Bryant
Bryant – I think the EM7000HBL is an excellent finish for guitars, both for acoustic and solid-body types. The polishing properties are excellent and the film properties is ideal for sound qualities.
-JW-
Ok, I think I’ll give it a try after I use up my em6000. Thanks!
Jeff
Are any luthiers using the EM7000 on boutique acoustic guitars? I’ve used the 6000 product for nearly 10 years, lotta coats to build (12-14 typical including leveling) and I wait 3 weeks if I can to sand/buff, just get a better job.
Appreciate your updates.
Peter – We do have several luthier using the four past generations of the EM7000 with very good results. It seems that the EM6000 has taken the lead in this market so I have never pushed the 7000 into luthiers hands. I do think that the latest iteration of the EM7000HBL will be very successful in luthier applictions.
-JW-
Do you recommend a larger spray tip for the new 7000, as you did for the previous 7000 HBL because of the higher percentage of resin solids? If we want to stick to the current spray tip, can we dilute the new 7000 slightly so it acts like the familiar 6000, without destroying its advantages (other than build)
Charlie – While the resin solids are higher, I think the more important physical property to look at is the liquid viscosity of the coating. We maintain a viscosity range of 35-40 sec, which is no greater then any of our other finishes. The solids content is 20% higher (on average based on sheen versions) then our EM6000, but we do not see a dramatic change in the way it sprays via a 1.3 or 1.5mm tip set. My suggestion is to use the tip set and pressure setting you have established for the EM6000 (or any other Emtech finish other then the pigmented finishes an primers) and use those as a starting point. You can always move up one size if need-be.
Thank you for your continued support of the Emtech line. It is greatly appreciated.
-JW-
I live on the Gulf Coast just steps from the water. We have so much salty moisture from the Gulf, plus blowing rain.
Is there a product that I can be confident in using to protect my porch furniture from these elements? I have painted furniture on a screened porch and also on a covered patio. Thank you for any advice.
Pam — Thank you for your inquiry. Yes, look at our EM9300 Polycarbonate Urethane for your outdoor furniture applications. It will offer very good UV and salt-spray resistance. Grant, it needs to be maintained, but it will protect the substrate when cared for.
-JW-
If I’m already using 6000 and its working well for me is there a reason other than the high build for trying the 7000. I guess I’m wanting to know what’s the main reason for using one of these finishes over the other.
Thanks
Larry — The primary difference between the EM6000 and the EM7000 is the dry/cured-film clarity and the chemical/corrosion resistance. EM7000 remains water-white/non-yellowing as it ages, whereas the EM6000 turns a soft straw color tone as it ages, i.e. similar to nitrocellulose lacquer. The non-yellowing attributes of the EM7000 makes it an ideal clear coat for use over pigmented base colors, especially white and pastel colors.
In regards to chemical corrosion resistance, we find that the EM7000 demonstrates better resistance to regular contact with hand lotions and high pH cleaners and disinfectants, especially when the CL100 is added into it.
I hope that this information is helpful.
-JW-
I have been using an acrylic water-borne product made in Eugene, OR by Forrest Paint on my hard Maple guitars. I was doing a low-gloss, hand-rubbed finish starting with a primer coat of flake shellac, applying 5 coats, let it dry for 2 days, sand it in with 400, steel-wool it with 0000. Ship it.This is a very nice product for low-gloss guitar finish.
I like the EM6000. The high-gloss is superb. I had to use 15 coats. I would like to continue to do the hand-rubbed look. I would rather not do so many coats, I would rather not wait for 7 days for it to dry hard enough to accept the steel-wool.
Which Water-Borne finish would you recommend if I knew I was going for a low-gloss, hand-rubbed look?
Rossco — Thank you for your inquiry and for sharing your experience with us. I suggest you look at our EM7000HBL High Build Lacquer, reduced with water at 10% by liquid volume, to create the effect you are looking for. You will have to noodle with the dilution ratio to hit the right look you want to obtain, but I think the EM7000HBL will be better suited for your specific needs.
–JW–
I have used the EM6000 for years on my guitars and love the finish. It sprays out beautifully! Very easy to level.
I recently tried the EM7000 using my same setup as the 6000 but have not had good results. I cannot seem to get it to atomize very well. I end up with a very rough/grainy finish. I switched back to the 6000 and it sprays great. I am using 1.4 tip with my gun but I have not tried reducing as of yet.
Any thoughts?
Tom
Tom – Thank you for sharing your experience with us. EM7000 should move well through a 1.4mm tip set. What are your pressure settings in pi, or are you using a tubrine unit?