Premium Vinyl Ester Resin with Hardener

Premium strength & chemical resistanceUnwaxed

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Premium Vinyl Ester Resin with Hardener

SKU:SM700025

$39.95 USD

$39.95 USD ~~USD~~

$1.25 floz

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In stock

Size: 1 Quart

1 Quart 1 Gallon 5 Gallons

Quantity

Key Specs

Mix Ratio: MEKP ~1.25% (about 1.6 fl oz/gal) - included; increase below 75°F
Works With (Fabrics): Fiberglass cloth, CSM, woven roving, 1708/1208 biaxial - not for carbon/Kevlar structural work
Resin Type: Vinyl ester - premium strength & chemical resistance (unwaxed)
Wax Content: Unwaxed (laminating) - add surfacing wax to the final coat to sand/polish
Catalyst: MEKP included; cures slower than polyester - more MEKP in cold weather
Works With (Fillers)$: MEKP included; cures slower than polyester - more MEKP in cold weather

Vinyl ester sits between polyester and epoxy: it wets out like polyester and takes MEKP like polyester, but it resists water and chemical attack far better, which is why it is the resin of choice for blister-resistant hull laminates, fuel tanks and anything with chemical exposure. It also runs stiffer and tougher than general purpose polyester.

Catalyst: MEKP at about 1.25 percent, roughly 1.6 oz (47 cc) per gallon, included. Vinyl ester cures slower than polyester, so increase the dose below 75 F.
Reinforcements: fiberglass cloth, chopped strand mat, woven roving, 1708 and 1208 biaxial. Not intended for structural carbon or Kevlar® work.
Unwaxed laminating resin. Add surfacing wax to the final coat if you need it to sand and polish.
Apply over polyester or vinyl ester laminate, bare fiberglass and wood. Never over epoxy.
Sizes: quart, gallon and 5 gallon.

Work with ventilation and a P100 with organic vapor cartridges, and read the SDS before you open the can.

Specifications

Resin Type: Vinyl Ester
Color: Amber
Usage: Hand layup, spray-up, structural laminates, marine skin coats
Catalyst: MEKP (1.0–2.0% by weight/volume)

Liquid Properties (25°C / 77°F)

Appearance: Amber
Non-Volatile Material (NVM): 55%
Viscosity: 525 cps (Brookfield LVF #3 @ 60 RPM)
Thix Index: 3.0
Specific Gravity: 1.08 g/cm³

Cure Profile (1.25% MEKP)

Gel Time: 23 minutes
Gel-to-Peak: 16 minutes
Peak Exotherm: 177°C / 350°F

Mechanical Properties (Typical, Fully Cured)

Barcol Hardness: 43
Tensile Strength: ~12,100 psi
Tensile Modulus: ~5.5 × 10⁵ psi
Elongation at Break: ~3%
Flexural Strength: ~21,200 psi
Flexural Modulus: ~5.8 × 10⁵ psi

Thermal & Water Resistance

Heat Distortion Temperature (HDT): 123°C / 253°F
Water Absorption (24 hrs @ 25°C): 0.16%

Water Absorption (2 hrs @ 100°C): 0.51%

Includes

Vinyl Ester Resin
MEKP Catalyst

Features

Superior Strength & Heat Resistance – Outperforms polyester resin in demanding marine, auto, and industrial applications.
Epoxy-Like Performance – Similar in strength to epoxies but with added stiffness and improved chemical resistance.
Includes Catalyst – Each container ships with the correct amount of MEKP hardener for reliable curing.
Versatile Use – Ideal for fiberglass layups, boat building, automotive parts, industrial composites, and high-heat environments.
Available in Multiple Sizes – Choose Quart, Gallon, or 5-Gallon containers to match your project needs.

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Technical Specifications

Mix MEKP ~1.25% (about 1.6 fl oz/gal) - included; increase below 75°FWorks with Fiberglass cloth, CSM, woven roving, 1708/1208 biaxial - not for carbon/Kevlar structural work

Resin TypeVinyl ester - premium strength & chemical resistance (unwaxed)

Mix RatioMEKP ~1.25% (about 1.6 fl oz/gal) - included; increase below 75°F

Wax ContentUnwaxed (laminating) - add surfacing wax to the final coat to sand/polish

CatalystMEKP included; cures slower than polyester - more MEKP in cold weather

Works With (Fabrics)Fiberglass cloth, CSM, woven roving, 1708/1208 biaxial - not for carbon/Kevlar structural work

Works With (Fillers)All BS fillers - fumed silica, glass bubbles, Q-Cells, microballoons, milled fiber, chopped strand, cotton flock

Apply OverPolyester/VE laminate, bare fiberglass, wood - never over epoxy

Best ForFuel tanks, chemical exposure, blister-resistant hulls

Compare Resins

Product	Premium Vinyl Ester Resin with HardenerYou're viewingfrom $39.95	Marine-Grade Polyester Layup Resin with Hardenerfrom $34.95	General Purpose Polyester Resin with Hardenerfrom $59.95	Isophthalic Polyester Tooling Resin with Hardenerfrom $32.95
Type	Vinyl ester - premium strength & chemical resistance (unwaxed)	Polyester - standard marine laminating (unwaxed)	Polyester - general purpose, non-structural (unwaxed)	Isophthalic polyester - tooling & laminating (unwaxed)
Mix Ratio	MEKP ~1.25% (about 1.6 fl oz/gal) - included; increase below 75°F	MEKP ~1.25% (about 1.6 fl oz/gal) - included	MEKP ~1.25% (about 1.6 fl oz/gal) - included	MEKP 1.25% (about 1.6 fl oz/gal) - included
Viscosity	—	—	—	325-525 cps (Brookfield), thixotropic
Pot Life	—	15-20 min @ 80°F	15-20 min @ 80°F	Gel time 20-24 min @ 1.25% MEKP
Wax	Unwaxed (laminating) - add surfacing wax to the final coat to sand/polish	Unwaxed (laminating) - add surfacing wax to the final coat to sand/polish	Unwaxed (laminating) - add surfacing wax to the final coat to sand/polish	Unwaxed - add surfacing wax to the final coat to sand/polish
Max Temp	—	—	—	HDT 223°F (106°C) - highest of our polyesters
Fabrics	Fiberglass cloth, CSM, woven roving, 1708/1208 biaxial - not for carbon/Kevlar structural work	Fiberglass cloth, CSM, woven roving, 1708/1208 biaxial - not for carbon/Kevlar structural work	Fiberglass cloth, CSM, woven roving, 1708/1208 biaxial - not for carbon/Kevlar structural work	Fiberglass cloth, CSM, woven roving, 1708/1208 biaxial - not for carbon/Kevlar structural work
Best For	Fuel tanks, chemical exposure, blister-resistant hulls	Marine construction & structural repair	Budget repairs & small projects - not for structural work	Molds & tooling, high-heat, low-shrink laminates
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What is vinyl ester resin?

Vinyl Ester Resin is a premium-grade resin designed for projects requiring superior strength, stiffness, and chemical resistance. Unlike polyester resins, this vinyl ester offers exceptional thermal tolerance and durability, making it the preferred choice for boat building, automotive, industrial, and high-performance composite applications.

When should I use vinyl ester resin?

Choose vinyl ester when you need more strength, toughness and water and chemical resistance than polyester without moving to epoxy. It is the standard for blister-resistant hull skins, below-waterline repairs and tanks. It cures with MEKP like polyester, about 1.25% at 77°F, and goes over polyester or vinyl ester laminate, so it drops straight into a polyester layup schedule. It does not go over epoxy.

How much MEKP do I add to polyester resin?

The standard dose is 1.25% MEKP by volume at 77°F, about 12 cc per quart or 47 cc (1.6 fl oz) per gallon. Use more when it is cold and less in heat, but stay between 1% and 2%: below 1% the resin can stay soft, and above 2% it can crack, smoke or kick before you can work it. Measure in cc with a dispenser, not drops.

What’s the difference between epoxy and polyester resin?

Epoxy resin provides better adhesion, moisture resistance, and flexibility compared to polyester resin. While polyester is more economical and widely used in mass production, epoxy is preferred for high-performance applications, repairs, and situations requiring a strong bond.

Does epoxy or polyester resin expire?

Yes. Unopened epoxy resin and hardener usually last one to several years stored cool and sealed, though hardener may darken without losing strength. Polyester resin and gelcoat are shorter lived, often three months to a year depending on the product, because the styrene and promoters break down. MEKP also weakens with age, and old catalyst can leave resin undercured, so check the label.