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RVhiker
Explorer
Dec 13, 2014

Plastic skink, SS basket strainer, what to use to seal?

I'm replacing the pot metal basket strainers in my RV sink because the sink stopper will no longer seal to hold water in the sink; the pot metal is corroded and grungy.

I've ordered two stainless steel basket strainers. The sink is plastic. What do I use to seal between the lip of the basket strainer and the inside bottom of the sink? Plumber's putty? Butyl? RV seam putty? Silicone? Something else?

9 Replies

  • Our kitchen sink is white shiny plastic. We're careful about damaging it (just like we are with our home SS sink) and it still looks like new.
  • And I was just about to thank everyone for not commenting on my plastic skink. :)
  • Silicone will work, but putty is what the professionals use. There are a couple different types of putty -- for plastic, I would use oil-free, non-staining.

    Bruce
  • YES....silicone

    One of the few places in an RV that it should be used.
    Plastic sinks/shower pans and drain strainer/basket.
  • Plumbers putty is the wrong thing to use. Check the label of the container, it will tell you to not use it on anything plastic. Using plumbers putty will only work for a short time on plastic and then it will fail. Trust me, I have fixed ceilings under baths because of this common mistake.
    The correct product is silicone in this particular situation. Contrary to the negative rep it gets here it does have its place and this is it.
    There should be nothing but silicone between the basket and the top of the sink. The rubber and paper gaskets go under the sink.
  • You should have a rubber and Teflon ring with your sink strainer. Use some plumbers putty between the top part of the strainer and the sink. The rubber ring goes on underneath followed by the Teflon ring and nut.
  • Silicone sealant has got to be one of the more worthless products on the planet.

    Butyl caulking will seal better and longer. When I do a caulk job I take my time to make sure the sealant is laying perfectly before it gets squished.

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