Emtech finish comparisons

TEST ON SCRAP FIRST! If your question is about repair work, either regluing or refinishing, please post it in our Repair Section.
Post Reply
Christ Kacoyannakis
Posts: 252
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 8:58 pm

Emtech finish comparisons

Post by Christ Kacoyannakis »

Hi, trying to contact EMTECH customer service, but they don't answer the phone.

I have a few questions:
1. I want to do a piano black gloss finish on a guitar, would it be better to use their EM6600 or just put some black Transtint into whatever top coat I decide on (and if Transtint, how much?)?

2. What are the differences between the EM6000 Production Lacquer and EM2000wvx Alkyd Varnish? Is one harder than the other or what? They both say they have a Clear/Amber Effect.

I am looking for a hard wearing finish for an electric finish that will take a super nice gloss polish. I am going to do the back piano black, and the front will have some tint to the base coats, but will have a clear topcoat. Trying to reach them to get suggestions. Does anybody here have information that would help? Thanks!
Gordon Bellerose
Posts: 1186
Joined: Wed May 30, 2012 11:47 pm
Location: Edmonton AB. Canada

Re: Emtech finish comparisons

Post by Gordon Bellerose »

I have used EM-6000 for a number of guitars.
I liked it for spraying, and it does dry hard. It also has a bit of blue tinge to it. That may not make much difference on a black finish.
I used about 12 coats to get a real nice finish.

I am now using a product called Britetone, made by the same company that makes the Crystalac products.
I like this much better. It dries clear, and polishes very nicely. I also am able to cut down on the number of coats.

As for how much color to use, I generally just mix about 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon of color in a pint jar full of lacquer.
That would be for the 2 base color coats only. After that I would simply add more lacquer to the mix, and ease up on the color for 2 or 3 coats, and then use only clear to finish off.
Grain filling must be done prior to painting also.
You can prime the painted areas of the guitar also, if you wish. As long as your surface is VERY smooth before you paint, you should be OK without priming.
I need your help. I can't possibly make all the mistakes myself!
Christ Kacoyannakis
Posts: 252
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 8:58 pm

Re: Emtech finish comparisons

Post by Christ Kacoyannakis »

Thanks for the advice Gordon! I'll give that a try.
Gordon Bellerose
Posts: 1186
Joined: Wed May 30, 2012 11:47 pm
Location: Edmonton AB. Canada

Re: Emtech finish comparisons

Post by Gordon Bellerose »

Remember to use a SOLID color for the black, not a stain. The stain will be semi-transparent.
I need your help. I can't possibly make all the mistakes myself!
User avatar
Barry Daniels
Posts: 3186
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:58 am
Location: The Woodlands, Texas

Re: Emtech finish comparisons

Post by Barry Daniels »

Gordon Bellerose wrote:Remember to use a SOLID color for the black, not a stain. The stain will be semi-transparent.
Gordon, the above statement would be more accurate if you replace the word "stain" with "dye". That is because stains can include both solid colors (i.e.; pigments) and/or transparent colors (i.e.; dyes).
MIMF Staff
Gordon Bellerose
Posts: 1186
Joined: Wed May 30, 2012 11:47 pm
Location: Edmonton AB. Canada

Re: Emtech finish comparisons

Post by Gordon Bellerose »

Barry Daniels wrote:
Gordon Bellerose wrote:Remember to use a SOLID color for the black, not a stain. The stain will be semi-transparent.
Gordon, the above statement would be more accurate if you replace the word "stain" with "dye". That is because stains can include both solid colors (i.e.; pigments) and/or transparent colors (i.e.; dyes).
Barry,

I think my choice of words stems back to my house and fence painting days. :D
A solid color would be called paint, and a semi-transparent color was called stain.
So, that is why I use the words I use. I'm Canadian EH! :lol:
I need your help. I can't possibly make all the mistakes myself!
User avatar
Barry Daniels
Posts: 3186
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:58 am
Location: The Woodlands, Texas

Re: Emtech finish comparisons

Post by Barry Daniels »

Finishing terms are very flexible depending on the person and the craft. The only reason I brought this up is that I have seen that many people are confused or even not aware of the difference between pigment and dye.
MIMF Staff
David King
Posts: 2690
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 10:01 pm
Location: Portland, OR
Contact:

Re: Emtech finish comparisons

Post by David King »

I'm sure they make a solid white and a solid black finish along with the clear topcoats. Then again that was 10 years back when they were the hot new thing.
Post Reply

Return to “Glues and Finishes”