"Silicone's great, but cleanup is always a pain."
Yeah, silicone can be messy to deal with—especially if you're not used to it. I've found plumber's putty pretty reliable too, but I'm curious about these hybrid sealants you mentioned. Haven't tried them myself yet...wondering if they're as easy to work with as advertised or if it's just marketing hype. Either way, sounds like you managed alright in the end—sink installs rarely go perfectly smooth the first time around.
I've had mixed luck with hybrid sealants myself. Quick thoughts from my last kitchen reno:
- Definitely easier cleanup than silicone—less sticky mess on fingers/tools.
- But...they can set up faster, so you gotta work quick.
- Had one brand that shrank more than expected after drying, had to redo a section.
Overall, worth trying at least once. Still, plumber's putty remains my go-to for sinks—old-school but reliable.
Tried hybrid sealants a couple times myself, and yeah, cleanup's definitely easier than silicone. But honestly, I've had mixed results too. Last year I put in a farmhouse sink—looked great at first—but after about two weeks noticed some shrinkage around the edges. Had to go back and redo it, which was a pain.
Plumber's putty might seem old-fashioned, but there's a reason it's stuck around this long. It just works. I've never had issues with shrinkage or leaks when using it. Sure, it's messier up front, but I'd rather spend extra time cleaning up once than having to redo the whole job later.
Not saying hybrids aren't worth trying—they have their place—but for sinks specifically...I still lean toward the tried-and-true methods.
I've had similar experiences with hybrid sealants myself. Initially, I was drawn to them because of the easier cleanup and less mess compared to silicone. But after a few projects, I noticed the same shrinkage issue you mentioned. It wasn't terrible, but enough to make me question their reliability for sinks and fixtures that see regular water exposure.
I recently replaced my kitchen sink as well—nothing fancy, just a standard stainless steel drop-in—and decided to stick with plumber's putty. Yes, it's old-school and definitely messier upfront, but it hasn't let me down yet. I've found that if you're careful about applying just the right amount (not too thick or thin), cleanup isn't too bad either. A damp rag and some patience usually do the trick.
One thing I've learned over the years is that newer products aren't always better, especially when it comes to plumbing and sealing. Manufacturers love to market hybrids as miracle solutions, but in practice, they often fall short of expectations. For me, reliability and longevity outweigh convenience every time—especially since I'm working within a tight budget and can't afford frequent repairs or replacements.
That said, I wouldn't completely dismiss hybrids altogether. They seem fine for certain applications like backsplashes or areas where water exposure is minimal. But for sinks or fixtures that get daily use and constant moisture, plumber's putty still feels like the safer bet.
Maybe someday they'll perfect these hybrid sealants, but until then...I'll stick with what's proven to work.
I've had mixed results with plumber's putty myself. A few years back, I installed a farmhouse sink and decided to go the "old-school" route with putty because I'd heard similar stories about hybrids shrinking or failing over time. It worked great initially, but after about two years, I noticed some slight cracking and had to redo it. Not a huge deal, but still annoying.
Honestly, I'm skeptical of most new miracle products too—especially when they're marketed as "eco-friendly" or "green." I've tried a couple of hybrid sealants that claimed to be sustainable and low-VOC, but they didn't hold up well at all in wet areas. That said, I did find one hybrid product recently that actually surprised me. Used it around a bathroom vanity backsplash, and it's held up nicely so far. But would I trust it around my kitchen sink? Probably not yet...
I think you're right—sometimes the classics stick around for a reason. Until these newer products prove themselves consistently reliable, I'll probably keep defaulting to the tried-and-true methods for critical spots.
