EM6500: An Easy to Apply Lacquer Paint in any Color
100% Water Based Technology in a Lacquer Paint System
EM6500 Pigmented Lacquer is a topcoat rated water based lacquer paint that is formulated to be a superior, safe, and easy to apply replacement for latex, oil, milk, and hybrid finishes for use on any project where a pigmented lacquer finish is required. Our lacquer paint has a low odor and is fast drying. Combined with superior leveling characteristics and excellent hiding capabilities our pigmented lacquer is a paint system that will get your project done fast with an exceptional looking finish. EM6500 is 100% water based in a low VOC format and, unlike other solvent-based or oil-based lacquer paints, is non-flammable, cleans up with soap and water, and makes storage and disposal safe and simple.
Super Smooth Look and Feel
EM6500 Pigmented Lacquer can be used in conjunction with our HSF5000 Primer/Surfacer/GrainFiller to create a high quality, super smooth, lacquer paint finish on MDF, birch, poplar, and other substrates that require pore-filling to control grain print-through.
EM6500 and HSF5000 are not good tannin blockers and wood substrates prone to heavy tannin or stain bleed will require the application of a water based stain/tannin blocking primer, like Kilz2 or Zinsser Bull’s Eye 123, as a base coat under the primer.A solvent based or alcohol based tannin/stain blocker can be used as a tannin blocker under EM6500 or the HSF5000 primer. Solvent based primers need to be fully dry and cured followed by a wipe down of a mixture of 1:1 water and denatured alcohol. Alcohol based primers, like BIN, need to be reduced 1:1 with denatured alcohol to prevent crazing/crackling of the HSF5000 primer or EM6500 topcoat.
We can Custom Tint to your Specifications using Multiple Custom Color Options
EM6500 Pigmented Lacquer delivers a custom color lacquer paint system professionals trust. As a universal color vehicle, our wood lacquer paint can be tinted to match a wide array of popular Off-Whites, Pastels, Mid-Tones and Deep colors. We factory-tint EM6500 to your specifications and you can easily choose colors from Benjamin Moore™, Sherwin-Williams™, and Farrow & Ball™.
Interested in a color not part of this lineup or have a colored item or mix but don’t know the color name and code? No problem, you can send us a swatch of any color and we will custom match and factory-tint your color with accuracy.
Instructions for Use
View Instructions for EM6500 & 6600 Pigmented Lacquer TDS
Excellent Adhesion Capabilities
EM6500 Pigmented Lacquer has excellent adhesion characteristics that allow it to bond to a wide variety of properly prepared substrates in addition to wood. Our lacquer paint can be applied to wood, non-ferrous metals, plastics, PVC, stone, masonry, fiberglass, and carbon fiber.
Interior Coating with Exterior Flexibility
EM6500 Pigmented Lacquer is an interior rated lacquer paint but can be topcoated with our EM9300 Polycarbonate Urethane to create a durable, water and UV resistant coating over your lacquer painted project. We recommend a minimum of 4 coats at 3-4 mils wet thickness of EM9300 for the best protection of your color coat.
It should be noted that the durability and colorfastness of these coatings using this technique is more suited for indirect and moderate UV light and moisture exposure.
Tips for Best Results when using Painters Grade Caulk
EM6500 Pigmented Lacquer is not compatible with, and should not be used as a coating over, 100% silicone caulks. We recommend the use of acrylic latex sealants. Fast dry latex caulks marketed as “siliconized” are also acceptable. We have tested and can recommend DAP Alex Fast Dry Siliconized Acrylic Latex Caulk. Other caulk brands of a similar type should be suitable and compatible with EM6500.
It is very important that the caulk being used is allowed to thoroughly dry and cure before application of any primer and topcoats. When any caulking is not thoroughly dry, a crackle can appear in the primer or finish. Please observe all dry and recoat times of caulk, HSF5000 Primer and EM6500 Pigmented Lacquer. Because there are many variations in formulas for products on the market today, we recommend as a standard finishing practice that a sample is made and tested for product compatibility.
Tips for Perfect Leveling Under Less Than Perfect Circumstances
EM6500 Pigmented Lacquer can be reduced with our SA5 Retarder to slow down the flash time if the lacquer paint is drying too quickly in a high temperature/low humidity environment. SA5 Retarder is also an excellent additive for when hand application techniques with brush and roller are being used. A reduction of 5-10% by liquid volume is recommended as a starting point.
Using EM6500 Pigmented Lacquer over an Oil Based Polyurethane or a previously applied solvent based finish
EM6500 Pigmented Lacquer can be applied over oil based polyurethane and most previously applied solvent based coatings. Proper surface preparation for application of our water based pigmented lacquer paint over previously applied oil based or solvent based finishes and topcoats is as follows:
- Newly applied solvent based finishes will need to be thoroughly dry and cured before application of EM6500. Dry times will vary by type of coating and solvent base. Please consult the manufacturer of the solvent based coating for dry times.
- Old solvent based finishes will need to be thoroughly cleaned of any contaminants.
- Scuff sand both new and old finishes with fine, 220G – 320G, sandpaper.
- Wipe down both new and old finishes with a mixture of 1:1 water and denatured alcohol. Allow the water/alcohol mixture to fully flash off and dry from the surface.
- Application of our EM6500 Pigmented Lacquer can proceed as normal. **Please remember that EM6500 is not a stain blocking paint and any stain or tannin bleed that is not fully covered by the previous finish will bleed through the pigmented lacquer. Apply a tannin blocking primer to prevent any bleed through of stains or tannins.**
Because there are many variations in formulas for products on the market today, we recommend as a standard finishing practice that a sample is made and tested for product compatibility, proper adhesion and bond of topcoat to base substrate.
How to Enhance Topcoat Durability
EM6500 Pigmented Lacquer can be fortified with our CL100 CrossLinker to create a post-catalyzed type painted lacquer. The addition of 3% by liquid volume of CL100 will improve the physical durability of our Pigmented Lacquer by tightening the molecular structure of the cured resin. CL100 improves the resistance of the cured film against high pH cleaners, alcohols and slow evaporating household chemicals. View the CL100 CrossLinker TDS to see directions for use and more information.
EM6500 Pigmented Lacquer can also be topcoated or “candy-coated” with our EM7000HBL or EM9300 Polycarbonate Urethane to increase the durability and protection of the painted wood finish. This can be especially desirable for Mid-Tone and Dark Colors where resin counts are lower due to higher volumes of pigments per volume.
Instructions for Use and SDS
View Instructions for EM6500 & 6600 Pigmented Lacquer TDS
View EM6500 Pigmented Lacquer SDS
Watch a video on how to add CL100 to any of our finishes
For Owners or Managers of Independent Paint and Finish Retail Businesses
EM6500 Pigmented Lacquer is compatible with Benjamin Moore Gennex®, Sansin Eco-Tone® and Accurate Dispersion GeoShades®. Other, reliable water-based tinting media for in-shop tinting include Colortrend® 896 tinting colorants.
If you’re interested in carrying our unique, easy to use, and affordable pigmented lacquers, please Contact us for more information about our EM6500 water-based custom color lacquer and how we can work together to give your customers some of the best water-based, sustainable, safe for the user and environment finishes on the market.
