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Does anyone know why Stew-Mac switched from their Color Tone brand (EM6000) to EM7000? The three reviews of the new product on the SM site were terrible. I'm about to spray a couple of guitars, but I don't know what to do now. I was used to the Color Tone, and getting good results from it.

Has anyone used the new EM7000, or know anything about it?

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Ken Mitchell
Durham, NC

Why not just order 6000 from Target?

Or try KTM-SV....

I just got a can of EM7000 from Target to try. I haven't sprayed a whole guitar with it yet but I used it to spray a peghead. It worked just fine for me. It did seem to build a bit faster than the EM6000. I still need to experiment with the tip size. I sprayed with a 1.3 mm tip and the flow seemed reduced over EM6000 with that tip. The next time I spray, I'm going to try a 1.5 mm tip and see if I like it better. I used it with a brush to patch some areas that were previously sprayed with EM6000. It worked fine there, too. As with EM6000, I was able to apply 3 coats to the patch area and level and polish it the next day. So far, in my limited experience, I've had no problems with it. I still have a gallon of EM6000, so if I like it after I spray a whole guitar, it will still be a while before I switch over. I can only speculate that the bad reviews were for the product before they got the bugs ironed out of it. I've used Target Coatings products for many years. They seem to constantly improve. I've been very happy with EM6000--it's not perfect but I understand the problems and know how to deal with them.

My understanding is that EM7000 does not "burn in" past a week whereas 6000 is repairable forever. I couldn't guess why StewMac dropped 6000 as it seems more appropriate for instrument work.

Yeah, I just missed them Fri afternoon. I'll call back on Monday.

Thanks for the responses.

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Ken Mitchell
Durham, NC

U can buy EM6000 direct from Target. Also, pay attention to their coupon codes. Seems they always have them and the discount is pretty good.

Mike

What did you find out? Seems, as I recall, there was the promise of a faster coat build. I still feel that 21 coats over 3 days, with scuff sands in between days builds about the right thickness. IIRC, 7000 was to build quite a bit faster. But the issue of repairability is in question.

Mike

I've just ordered a finish from www.dirtworks.net
Suppose to good!
I talked to a rep. on the phone also.
I hope it's what the advertise it as!


Mike

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Mike Collins

Um, Mike, did your account get hacked or something?

How do they do this crap? (don't click on that link folks, maybe Lance can deactivate it)

Not a saint. We've covered this a bunch in the past. My best guess is that EM6000 goes on at about 0.0003" per session (using a LVHP gun). This would be different using HVLP. I figured that out by measuring thicknesses on a balloon stuck in the sound hole. That works out to 0.0021" per day. Scuff sand and I estimate you lose 0.0003-0.0006". Do that for 3 days and you end up at 0.0063 - 0.0009 (or 0.0018)

4.5 - 5.4 thousandths

Not very thick at all! Also, others have verified these findings in the past. Someone should do this with a HVLP gun.

Mike

It seems like a legit site, and they do carry some finishes.

The Best Organic Garden and Farm Supplies from Dirt Works. Your ...www.dirtworks.net/Cached - Similar
You +1'd this publicly. Undo
by John Meshna - More by John Meshna

Buy Organic Seed, Worm Castings, Lawn Seed, Organic Fertilizer, Hydroponic Kits, Guano Fertilizer, Organic Pest Control, Natural Food, Castile Soap.


Really? OK, its some kind of organic site from Vermont... Polywhey? Wouldn't that result in a cheesy finish?

Edit: OK, so I'm curious now. May order a small one and see how it acts.