Plumber's Putty vs Silicone: Which to Use (2026)

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Quick answer from a licensed plumber: Read the sheet that came with the drain or faucet first, because the makers split. Kohler and Moen name plumber’s putty in their drain and faucet instructions. Blanco says putty is not recommended on its Silgranit sinks and to use silicone. Oatey, which makes the putty, says not to use it on ABS and to use 100% silicone there. If the sheet is gone, my advice is putty under a drain flange or faucet base you may want out again, and silicone where a joint has to bond and cure, like a sink rim or tub edge.

Our picks: Oatey Stain-Free Plumber’s Putty for a drain or faucet base, and GE Advanced Silicone 2 Kitchen & Bath for a sink rim or tub edge.

Oatey describes plumber’s putty as a soft fixture-setting compound that does not need to cure, and 100% silicone as an adhesive sealant that does. This page answers which one for which job, from maker documents. We did not test any of it. For brand picks see our best plumber’s putty and best silicone sealant for plumbing guides.

Plumber’s Putty vs Silicone at a Glance

	Plumber’s putty	100% silicone
What Oatey calls it	A soft, non-adhesive fixture-setting compound for non-pressurized joints	An adhesive sealant that cures
Wait before water	None; Oatey says to test the fixture right away	GE: 30 minutes only for a bead up to 3/16 inch at 65°F or warmer and 50% humidity or higher; otherwise 8 hours; 24 hours before touching or cleaning
Taking it apart later	Generally easy, per Oatey; Oatey says to use fresh putty whenever a fixture is disassembled	Harder once cured, per Oatey; GE says to cut or scrape it off
ABS plastic	Oatey’s current sheet: not for ABS	Oatey says to use 100% silicone on ABS
Granite, marble, quartz	Regular oil-based putty may stain, per Oatey; stain-free putty is made for these	GE lists granite and natural stone among the surfaces it may be used on, and says to test stone first

Putty figures are from Oatey’s blog and stain-free putty sheets. Silicone figures are from GE’s Advanced Silicone 2 Kitchen & Bath data sheet, and other silicones differ; Oatey’s 2007 silicone sheet, for example, says to keep water off for at least 72 hours. Read the cartridge for the one you buy.

Which One for This Job

Job	Start with	What the sheets say
Sink strainer, when the sink maker names putty	Putty	Kohler’s strainer guide says to apply a ring of plumbers putty to the underside edge of the strainer flange. Its stainless sink guide says to use putty under the faucet base and strainer flange when reusing fittings from an old sink.
Strainer in a Blanco Silgranit sink	Silicone	Blanco’s strainer spec sheet says plumbers putty is not recommended for Silgranit sinks and to use a silicone sealant.
Bathroom sink pop-up drain	Putty	Moen sheets call for a 1/4 inch bead of plumber’s putty around the drain seat. Kohler’s pop-up and lavatory drain guides say plumbers putty or other sealant, following the putty maker’s instructions.
Faucet base on a sink or counter	What the faucet sheet says	Moen’s MT136A calls for a 3/8 inch bead of putty on the underside of the deck gasket. Kohler’s kitchen faucet guide uses a gasket on the spray holder if one is provided and putty only if it is not. Newport Brass says petroleum putty on its faucets voids the warranty and recommends clear silicone.
Faucet or drain on marble	Non-staining putty or silicone, per the maker	Two Kohler guides differ: stainless (non-staining) putty in one, a silicone-based product in the other. Newport Brass says petroleum putty voids its warranty and recommends clear silicone.
Granite, quartz or Corian	Stain-free putty, or silicone if the maker says so	Oatey says regular putty may stain and its stain-free putty is made for these surfaces. GE lists granite and natural stone among the surfaces its silicone may be used on.
Tub or shower drain, or a base that may be ABS	100% silicone, after you check	Oatey says its putty is not for ABS, ABS-core acrylic or acrylic-capped ABS bases, and to use 100% silicone there.
Garbage disposal sink flange	Putty	InSinkErator’s LC-50 manual says to press a 1/2 inch rope of plumber’s putty around the flange, and not to use putty, thread sealant or pipe dope on any other disposer connection.
Sink rim to countertop, tub or tile edge	Silicone	Kohler’s cast iron sink guide calls for silicone sealant where the sink meets the countertop and cabinet, and its stainless guide for a bead of sealant under the rim. Oatey says putty is not a caulk.
Toilet base	Not putty	Oatey says putty is not designed for a toilet base and to use a caulk or sealant made for the application. The bowl seal is a wax ring; see the wax ring guide.
Threaded pipe joints	Neither	Oatey says putty is not for pipe threads or pressurized connections. See tape vs dope vs putty.

The sheet that came with the part beats this table. For strainers and drains, see kitchen sink basket strainers and pop-up drain assemblies; for a disposal flange, replacing the sink flange; for a drain that already leaks, kitchen sink leaking underneath.

Products That Match the Table

We link one item for each choice. Each was in stock on Amazon and sold by Amazon when we checked on September 29, 2026. The full field of brands is on the two guides linked above.

Putty, Sold by Amazon

Oatey Stain-Free Plumber’s Putty 31177 (9 oz)

Putty · 9 oz cup · Oatey item 31177, which Oatey’s sheets call its Stain-Free putty · no wait before use, per Oatey · Oatey’s current sheet says not for ABS · sold by Amazon

Oatey’s technical sheet and safety data sheet both identify item 31177 as Oatey Stain-Free Plumber’s Putty, even though the Amazon title only says Plumbers Putty, in white. Oatey says the stain-free formula is made for natural surfaces found in sinks, countertops, strainers and shower bases, such as granite, marble, quartz, sandstone and Corian, and can set bath wastes, shower drains, faucets and basket strainers. Oatey’s blog puts the rope at about 1/2 inch thick and says there is no cure time, so you can test the fixture right away.

The limit that matters is plastic: Oatey’s current sheet says it is not for use on ABS (see Plastic, ABS and Acrylic below). An older Oatey sheet from July 2024 said it was safe on ABS, and the Amazon listing says it is safe on any surface, so we follow the newest sheets. Oatey also says never to mix its stain-free putty with normal putty, because staining may occur.

No cure time; Oatey says to test the fixture right away
Oatey lists it for strainers, faucets, bath wastes and shower drains
Stain-free formula for granite, marble, quartz and Corian, per Oatey
Sold by Amazon

Oatey’s current sheet says not for ABS
Never mix it with normal putty, per Oatey
Not for pipe threads, pressurized joints or a toilet base, per Oatey
The Amazon title does not say stain-free

Verdict: The putty to buy when a sheet names putty and you also have stone to protect. Check for ABS first.

Check the Oatey 31177 plumber’s putty on Amazon

Silicone, Sold by Amazon

GE Advanced Silicone 2 Kitchen & Bath Sealant (10.1 oz)

100% silicone · 10.1 fl oz cartridge · GE items 2812565 (white) and 2812562 (clear) · water-ready in 30 minutes only under GE’s conditions · full cure 24 hours · not paintable · sold by Amazon

GE describes this as a neutral-cure, low-odor 100% silicone that will not blemish most metal finishes such as chrome, bronze and nickel, made for showers, tubs, sinks, countertops and fixtures. Its data sheet lists granite, cultured marble, natural stone, fiberglass and most plastics among the materials it may be used on, and also says to test stone and plastics for adhesion on a small area first.

GE’s water-ready time applies only under its stated bead, temperature and humidity limits; the table above has the numbers. Two limits on GE’s sheet matter at a drain. GE says not to use it where it is in continuous contact with water, and not to encapsulate it between two non-porous surfaces, because it cures from the exposed edge in. GE does not mention drain flanges. Blanco does call for silicone under a strainer in its Silgranit sinks, so for that sink follow Blanco.

Neutral cure with low odor, per GE
GE’s data sheet lists granite, natural stone, fiberglass and most plastics as surfaces it may be used on
Water-ready in 30 minutes under GE’s stated conditions
Sold by Amazon in white and clear

Not paintable
GE says not for continuous contact with water or for sealing between two non-porous surfaces
Full cure takes 24 hours, and 8 hours before water if conditions are not met
Cured silicone has to be cut or scraped off, per GE

Verdict: The silicone to buy for sink rims, tub edges and any joint where the sink or faucet sheet calls for silicone.

Check the GE Advanced Silicone 2 (white) on Amazon

Check the GE Advanced Silicone 2 (clear) on Amazon

Silicone Oatey Names for ABS

Oatey Silicone Sealant 30236, Clear (10.3 oz)

Silicone · 10.3 oz cartridge · clear · Oatey says safe on plastic including ABS · Oatey lists it for tubs, showers, rimless sinks and plumbing fixtures · Oatey’s 2007 sheet says keep water off 72 hours · sold by Amazon

This is the silicone Oatey points to when its own putty will not work. Oatey calls it safe on plastic, including ABS, and lists it for ceramic tile, showers, tubs, rimless sinks and plumbing fixtures.

Oatey’s spec sheet for this item (clear 30236 and white 30237) is dated November 2007 and is the only one we found. It lists a 10-minute tack-free time, a 24-hour full cure and an acetic acid odor, and says to protect the sealant from water for at least 72 hours to allow initial curing. That is far slower than GE’s 30 minutes, and the cartridge may carry newer directions, so read the label. Oatey’s safety data sheet says not to use it where it will be submerged under water. One Amazon bullet calls it a latex sealant, which conflicts with the title and with Oatey’s sheets; my advice is to check the cartridge label when it arrives.

Oatey says it is safe on plastic, including ABS
Oatey names it for tubs, showers, rimless sinks and plumbing fixtures
Clear, so it does not show at a drain or tub edge
Sold by Amazon

Oatey’s only spec sheet we found is from 2007 and says to keep water off for at least 72 hours
Oatey’s safety data sheet says not for use submerged under water
One listing bullet says latex, which conflicts with the title and with Oatey
Cured silicone is harder to remove than putty, per Oatey

Verdict: The silicone to reach for when a drain, tub or shower base may be ABS. Confirm what the cartridge label says.

Check the Oatey 30236 silicone on Amazon

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Granite, Marble and Quartz

Oatey says regular plumber’s putty is oil-based and may stain porous materials such as granite, marble, quartz and sandstone, and its stain-free putty is the version for them. Hercules’ Sta Put Ultra is another stain-free putty, and its 2009 spec sheet says never to mix it with normal putty. Oatey says the same about its own. Oatey says to test unusual materials in an inconspicuous area first, and Hercules says to test a small raw sample of the stone for 30 minutes.

Faucet makers split on marble (see the table above and the FAQ below). GE lists granite and natural stone among the surfaces its silicone may be used on, and says to test adhesion on a small area first. My advice on stone is to find the faucet or sink sheet before choosing, because the makers disagree.

Plastic, ABS and Acrylic

This is the biggest catch with putty. Oatey’s current stain-free putty sheet says it is safe with PVC and most other plastics and is not for use on ABS. Its blog says the interaction with ABS can degrade the ABS and lead to product failure, and lists what not to use it on: ABS drain parts, acrylic blends, ABS-core acrylic bathtubs and shower bases, and acrylic-capped ABS bases. Only pure, 100% acrylic is listed as compatible. A tub or shower base may be sold simply as acrylic while containing ABS, so Oatey says to check the product specifications or ask the fixture maker. For ABS, Oatey says to use 100% silicone. If you are not sure what your drain parts are, see how to identify your bathtub drain and PVC vs ABS pipe.

GE’s silicone sheet says it may be used on most plastics and does not name ABS. Oatey’s page names ABS for its own silicone. So the ABS answer comes from Oatey, not from GE.

Taking It Apart Later

Oatey says putty is generally easy to remove and that fresh putty should go in whenever a fixture is taken out or adjusted. It says cured silicone is more difficult to remove. GE says to cut or scrape cured sealant away with a sharp-edged tool, and that its silicone can be extremely difficult to remove from rough or porous surfaces. My advice: if you expect to pull a strainer or pop-up out again and the sheet allows putty, putty is the easier joint to service.

Before You Buy

Find the sheet. The drain, strainer or faucet came with instructions, or the maker posts them online. Kohler and Moen name putty, Blanco names silicone for Silgranit, and Newport Brass names silicone. The sheet decides.
Check for a gasket. Kohler’s faucet guide uses a gasket on the spray holder if one is provided and putty only if not. Do not add a sealant the sheet does not call for.
Check for ABS. If the drain body, tub or shower base may be ABS or acrylic over ABS, do not use putty; Oatey says silicone.
Clean the surface. Oatey says surfaces must be dry and free of old putty, dirt, wax, oil and grease. GE says silicone needs a solvent-cleaned surface, not soap and water.
Replacing the whole faucet? See how to install a faucet for the steps around the sealant.

FAQ

Can I use silicone instead of plumber’s putty under a sink drain?

Sometimes, and the sink maker decides. Blanco says plumbers putty is not recommended for its Silgranit sinks and to use a silicone sealant, and Newport Brass recommends clear silicone on its faucets. Kohler names putty for its strainers and drains, Moen for its pop-up drains and faucets. GE’s silicone sheet says not to use it in continuous contact with water or sealed between two non-porous surfaces, and it does not mention drain flanges. If you have no sheet, my advice is putty for a metal drain unless the sink maker names silicone or anything the putty touches is ABS. Our plumber’s putty guide also covers other substitutes.

Can I use plumber’s putty instead of silicone?

Not where the joint has to bond or stay sealed at an edge. Oatey says putty is not an adhesive and does not replace the hardware that holds a fixture, and that it is not for toilet bases, windows, doors, pipe threads or pressurized connections. Kohler’s cast iron sink guide uses silicone sealant where a sink meets the countertop. Oatey also says not to use its putty on ABS.

Will plumber’s putty damage plastic?

It can on ABS. Oatey’s current sheet says its stain-free putty is safe with PVC and most other plastics and is not for use on ABS, and its blog says ABS can degrade and that this covers ABS-core and acrylic-capped bathtubs and shower bases. Pure, 100% acrylic is fine, but acrylic blends are not. An older Oatey sheet from July 2024 said the putty was safe on ABS, so check the fixture’s specs or ask its maker, and use 100% silicone if it contains ABS.

How long before I can use the sink?

With putty, right away; Oatey says it does not need to cure and can be tested immediately. With silicone it depends on the product. GE says its Advanced Silicone 2 can see water after 30 minutes only with a bead up to 3/16 inch, at least 65°F and at least 50% humidity, otherwise 8 hours, and to leave it untouched for 24 hours. Oatey’s 2007 sheet for its silicone says to keep water off for at least 72 hours. Read the cartridge for the one you buy.

Which one is safe on a granite or marble countertop?

Two routes are documented. Oatey says regular oil-based putty may stain granite, marble, quartz and sandstone, and its stain-free putty is the version for those surfaces. Kohler’s kitchen faucet guides split: one says to use stainless (non-staining) putty on marble, the other says to use a silicone-based product under the undercover on marble. Newport Brass says petroleum putty voids its warranty and recommends clear silicone. Follow the faucet or sink maker’s sheet. Oatey says to test unusual materials in an inconspicuous area first.

Why Trust Plumbing Picks

Plumbing Picks is written by a licensed Georgia journeyman plumber. Every size, rating, dimension and spec on this page comes from the manufacturer pages and documents listed below, which we opened and read, or from the Amazon listing we link; nothing here comes from hands-on testing. Each linked product was shipped or sold by Amazon, new and in stock, when we checked on September 29, 2026. Where a link goes to Amazon we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nobody pays to be included here. More on who writes this and how we pick.

Sources

Bottom Line

Follow the sheet that came with the drain, strainer or faucet. When it is gone, my advice: putty for a metal drain or faucet base you may service again, stain-free putty if the surface is stone, 100% silicone for a sink rim, a tub edge or anything ABS, and neither for threads or a toilet base. Check for ABS before you reach for putty, and give silicone its full cure time before you trust it.

Plumber’s Putty vs Silicone: Which to Use (2026)