Acrylic bathtub & Plumber's Putty

[francis]

I have an acrylic bathtub and need to replace the drain strainer. I was told not to use Plumber's Putty and instead to use silicone. Is this correct.
Francis

[jdkimes]

I think from other threads here that the putty is not recommend because the oils can discolor or damage in some other way the acrylic.
But others don't have a problem and think the putty hold better and lasts longer. Still others will say that the putty will dry up and that silicon lasts forever which is why they use it in plastic surgery and computer chips.
What does the mfr. suggest or warn against?
Go w/ that to preserve any warranty.
I use silicon, but I'm not a real plumber, I just play one at my house.

[thebigsee]

I just want to point out in the ongoing "putty vs. silicone" debate that at least with no-calk shower drains, both of the mainstream manufacturers (Oatey and Sioux Chief) specify using SILICONE under the flange, not putty. As such, the debate should be moot if people want to follow what the manufacturers suggest -- use silicone!

[Bathtubmaster]

Silicone believer :d

[Ian Gills]

Silicone.

After acrylic caulk has failed me many times for this application.