Proper sealant for popup? (faux marble)

[David here]

I need to know the best or acceptable sealants for a drain popup in a faux-marble sink.

I had to replace a broken sink drain popup last week. When I read the plumbers putty can, it says emphatically not to use it on plastic or "marble." Short on time, I found a used tube of old white "silicon II tub & tile caulk" and applied a bead around the drain opening before installing the popup tube. Then I let it cure 3 days. (I must have confused it with acrylic or blended material.) Today, I find the sealant is still not cured, as the fillet is smearable around the edge of the metal collar. Bummer.

Looks like I need to replace the stuff with acrylic sealant instead --that looks like what I had used before. I don't trust the thin rubber gasket in this kit. But what is the real problem with plumbers putty anyway? Does it attack the phony marble or just stain it?

 

[Redwood]

Use either Silicone RTV (GE Silicone II kitchen & bath) or, Sta-Put Ultra Plumbers Putty. Regular Plumbers Putty has oil in it which will stain marble.

If you use Silicone RTV clean up the excess with denatured alcohol.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[David here]

Thanks, Redwood...

Oddly, that GE silicone II sounds like the same product I used but it must have been too old to cure properly. (5-10 years, maybe??) Off to the store...