Black Swan 01040 Stay Soft Plumbers Putty, 14 oz White - Molding & Crack-Resistant, Ideal for Sink Drain, Faucets & Fixtures, Stretchable Plumber Putty

What it is and how I used it

This stay-soft putty from Black Swan is a classic plumber’s putty in a 14 oz tub, and it behaves exactly the way a good putty should: soft, moldable, and reliably non-hardening after installation. I put it through the paces on a few common jobs—seating a kitchen sink disposal flange, setting a bathroom sink drain, and tidying up a loose shower arm escutcheon—and it performed consistently across the board.

For the disposal install, I rolled a rope about the thickness of a pencil, wrapped it around the underside of the flange, and tightened from below. The excess squeezed out evenly and cut away cleanly with a plastic scraper and a dry cloth. No need to wait for anything to cure—the seal was watertight immediately, and it’s stayed that way. On the bathroom sink drain, the result was the same: even compression, no crumbling, and no shrink-back or cracking weeks later. The escutcheon fix is less about sealing and more about neatness; a small ring of putty behind a shower arm flange helps keep it tight to a slightly uneven tile wall. Because the putty isn’t a true adhesive, it doesn’t “glue” the flange in place; it just fills minor gaps and keeps things aligned and tidy.

Application experience

• Consistency: Out of the tub, the putty is soft and stretchable, easy to work by hand, and forms smooth ropes without tearing. On a colder day, mine felt a touch firmer; a minute of kneading or warming the tub indoors made it pliable again. Once it’s in place, it compresses evenly and doesn’t crumble or turn gritty.

• Cleanup: Excess wipes away cleanly. I like to peel most of the squeeze-out, then buff the edge with a dry cloth. If you’ve got a faint residue on chrome, a damp cloth and mild soap handle it. There’s a mild oily feel typical of traditional plumber’s putty; that’s normal and part of why it stays soft.

• Rework and serviceability: Because it never fully hardens, future disassembly is straightforward. I reopened the bathroom drain after a week to check how it aged—still soft, no adhesion to threads, and easy to re-seat with the same tub of putty.

• Color: The product is labeled white, but the material presents more like a light gray/off-white in hand. Under ordinary use, you shouldn’t see the putty once the hardware is compressed. If you leave an exposed bead and you’re pairing it with a bright white sink, the slight gray tone may show. Proper cleanup eliminates that, but it’s worth knowing if you’re picky about hidden touches.

Performance and sealing

This putty’s job is to create a watertight seal at low pressure, and it does that well. I tested for leaks immediately after installation and again after several hot-water cycles; in both cases the seals held firm. The “stay-soft” behavior is a plus in fixtures that see temperature swings—no hairline gaps formed as the metal expanded and contracted.

What I also look for in a putty is how it behaves over time. Some putties slowly dry out or shrink, leading to a telltale ring or a little weep line months later. After several weeks, I saw no shrinkage around the drains I set. That tracks with the non-mastic formulation: it’s designed to remain flexible, not cure hard.

Important limitation: this is not for pressurized joints or submerged, structural repairs. It’s not a replacement for thread sealant, pipe dope, or silicone in areas that call for true adhesion or pressure resistance. Think of it as a gasket in putty form, perfect under flanges, basket strainers, escutcheons, and similar trim.

Material and surface compatibility

Traditional plumber’s putty often contains oils, which can stain or discolor certain porous surfaces. If you’re working on natural stone (marble, granite, quartzite) or unsealed cast composites, confirm compatibility or use a non-staining putty or silicone recommended by the fixture manufacturer. On typical vitreous china, stainless steel, and enamel-coated sinks, I’ve had no issues. For plastic components, particularly ABS or acrylic trim, I avoid direct, prolonged contact unless I know the manufacturer approves putty.

As for metal finishes, I saw no reaction with chrome or brushed nickel. The finish wiped clean without smearing or haze once I removed excess promptly.

Ease of use and ergonomics

• The 14 oz tub size is a sweet spot for home and light pro use. It’s more than enough for multiple sink installs and the occasional fixture tweak, without drying out between jobs if you keep the lid sealed.

• The putty’s stretchability makes it simple to roll ropes that don’t break apart. It conforms nicely to threads, irregular rims, and small surface imperfections in castings.

• There’s no harsh odor—just the mild, neutral scent of a typical plumber’s putty.

• Storage is straightforward. Keep the lid on, store at room temperature, and it stays workable for a long time. If it firms up in a cold garage, knead it or warm the tub a bit and it bounces back.

Where it fits compared to silicone and other sealants

If I’m setting a drain flange I expect to service in the future, I reach for putty over silicone almost every time. Putty is faster—no cure time, easy cleanup—and it doesn’t bond parts together. Silicone makes sense when the manufacturer mandates it (some modern drain assemblies do) or on stone tops where non-staining is critical. For pipe threads, I’ll use thread sealant or Teflon tape, not putty. For exterior HVAC penetrations or places subject to weather and UV, putty isn’t appropriate; use a weather-rated sealant.

Within the category, this putty holds its own. It stays softer than some budget tubs I’ve used, which can feel crumbly or dry around the edges after a few months. The consistent, non-chalky texture here makes it easy to get a neat result even if you’re new to the material.

Practical tips from use

• Roll a uniform rope slightly thicker than you think you need; let tightening compress it. Under-tightening is a more common cause of leaks than “too much putty.”

• Finger-tighten first, then snug with tools in small increments while checking for even squeeze-out. Uneven squeeze-out can signal a misaligned flange or debris under the rim.

• Immediately remove excess; don’t leave an exposed bead. The goal is a hidden gasket, not a caulked look.

• On cold days, warm the putty by pocketing a small piece for a minute or two before rolling ropes.

• If you’re working around stone or unknown composites, test on a hidden spot or switch to a non-staining alternative.

Durability over time

After weeks of hot and cold cycles, the seals I set remained tight with no weeping. I intentionally re-opened the bathroom drain to check the condition of the compressed putty: still elastic, no cracking, and still capable of resealing once reseated. That’s exactly what you want out of a non-hardening sealant—predictable performance and easy serviceability.

What could be better

• Color accuracy. While labeled white, the putty reads as a light gray in the tub and in any flashed squeeze-out. It’s normally invisible in a proper installation, but if you expect a pure white bead when exposed, that’s not what this is.

• Temperature sensitivity. Straight from a cold shop, it can feel firm. It softens quickly with kneading, but a bit more cold-weather pliability would be nice for winter work.

Neither issue affects sealing performance, but they’re worth noting for picky installs or cold environments.

The bottom line

The Black Swan stay-soft putty does what a plumber’s putty should do: it forms reliable, immediate, and serviceable seals for drains, faucets, and trim. It’s easy to handle, resists cracking and shrinking, and remains workable long after the initial install. The 14 oz tub is a practical size, cleanup is simple, and it’s made in the USA.

Recommendation: I recommend it for anyone setting sink drains, basket strainers, disposal flanges, or escutcheons on typical porcelain and metal surfaces. It’s a straightforward, dependable choice that prioritizes ease of use and long-term serviceability. Just be mindful of the light gray tone if any putty will remain exposed, avoid it on natural stone or sensitive plastics without confirmation, and remember it’s not a pressurized-joint fix. Used in the right places, it’s the kind of set-and-forget material that makes plumbing installs faster and cleaner.