Oatey 25171 Sta Put Ultra Plumbers Putty, 14 oz Size

I reach for plumber’s putty more often than any other sealant in a sink install, and Sta Put Ultra has become my default. It’s a polymer, oil‑free putty that stays soft, doesn’t stain, and, crucially, plays nicely with porous surfaces. After several weeks of real-world use across a kitchen sink basket strainer, two bathroom pop-up drains, and a bar sink, I have a clear sense of where this putty excels and a few notes on where it could be better.

First impressions and handling

Out of the tub, Sta Put Ultra is beige, smooth, and ready to work without much kneading. In cooler temps it’s slightly firmer, but a minute in the hand softens it to a pliable rope. It doesn’t leave an oily film on fingers or tools, and there’s no noticeable odor. Compared with traditional oil-based putties, the handling is cleaner—no greasy residue on the countertop and no smears that need solvent.

Rolling it into uniform ropes is easy; it doesn’t crumble or pull apart under light tension. The malleability makes it simple to tuck neatly around a flange without it sagging into the opening. If I need to lift and reset a part, the putty stays cohesive and can be re-used during the same session.

Application performance

I tested the putty on:

• A stainless steel kitchen basket strainer to a composite sink
• Two pop-up drains, one to a porcelain sink and one to a quartz vanity top with an undermount bowl
• A bar sink drain to a granite countertop

In each case, I laid a rope around the underside of the flange, seated the fitting, and brought it down evenly. Sta Put Ultra compresses predictably—excess squeeze-out forms a clean bead that pulls away without smearing. I like that I can finger-roll the trim-off into a ball and drop it back in the tub or discard it; cleanup is a dry paper towel job.

The seals passed immediate fill-and-drain tests, but the more important check came a few days later. No weeping at the seams, no moisture tracking. Because this putty remains soft, it maintains contact even if the assembly shifts a hair after temperature changes or minor bumps during later work.

Safe on porous surfaces

The biggest win for me is using this on stone and composite tops without anxiety. Oil-bearing putties can leave stains or halos on marble, granite, and quartz. Sta Put Ultra is designed for porous surfaces, and that matched my experience. I installed a drain on a honed marble remnant as a stress test: no darkening under the flange, no ring a week later. On white quartz, there was no shadowing visible through the slab around the cutout.

Reworkability and longevity

Because the putty doesn’t cure, future service is painless. I backed off the locknut on the basket strainer a week after install to simulate a repair; the putty lifted cleanly and could have been re-kneaded in a pinch. For permanent installs, that “always soft” characteristic is a double-edged sword only if you expect adhesive strength—not the point of plumber’s putty. It seals; it does not glue. Mechanical fastening still does the holding.

A month in, the seals are still dry. The putty hasn’t shrunk away from edges or oozed out with thermal cycling from hot water. On the underside of the flanges, there’s no sign of creep.

How it compares to traditional putty and silicone

• Versus classic oil-based putty: Sta Put Ultra feels cleaner, and the risk of staining porous materials is eliminated. It’s also less sticky in a good way—easy to shape, less messy on hands. Sealing performance is equivalent or better in my installs.

• Versus silicone: Silicone bonds tenaciously and can be appropriate when a manufacturer explicitly calls for it, but it’s messier, harder to control under a flange, and unpleasant to service later. For drains and strainers, I prefer a non-hardening putty like this. Silicone still has a place for overflow gaskets and certain assemblies that specify it; always follow fixture instructions.

Where it shines

• Porous counters: Granite, marble, quartz, composites—no pre-treatment needed.
• Clean handling: Oil-free, odorless, and genuinely non-greasy.
• Predictable compression: Forms a uniform, watertight bead without excessive squeeze-out.
• Serviceability: Remains soft, so disassembly months or years later is far easier than with fully cured sealants.

Where it doesn’t

• Not an adhesive: If you need structural bonding, this isn’t it.
• Not for pressurized lines: It’s for drains, flanges, and similar fixtures—don’t substitute for thread sealant on supply.
• Manufacturer exceptions: A few drain assemblies specify silicone; respect those instructions.

Tips for best results

• Surface prep: Wipe mating surfaces clean and dry. Any oils or film on a new fixture will compromise the seal.
• Rope size: For most bathroom drains, a rope about the thickness of a pencil works. For larger kitchen strainers, slightly thicker. If you get too much squeeze-out, use a thinner rope on the next pass.
• Even tightening: Bring fittings down evenly and in small increments to avoid pinching the bead on one side.
• Trim after snug: Let the assembly sit for a few minutes, then trim or roll away the squeeze-out for a tidy finish.
• Check after a day: Re-snug the locknut if the gasket stack relaxes. The putty will accommodate a slight retighten without issue.

Packaging and storage

Functionally, the tub works, but the packaging could be sturdier. My lid arrived secure but thinner than I’d like. I’d prefer a more positive seal or an inner liner to guarantee freshness and prevent the lid from cracking in transit. The putty itself was fresh and pliable.

For storage, press the remaining putty flat in the tub, lay a piece of plastic film directly on the surface, and snap the lid tight. Keep it in a cool place out of direct sun. Although it doesn’t cure, prolonged exposure to air can skin the outermost layer; a quick knead brings it back.

Material compatibility

I used it successfully with stainless, chrome-plated brass, porcelain, acrylic, and composite sinks. Being oil-free, it’s a safer choice around plastics and rubber than traditional putties, which can sometimes soften certain materials. Still, if you’re working with an unusual finish or proprietary coating, a small test bead on scrap is prudent.

Value

A 14 oz tub is more than enough for many household projects; pros will go through it steadily, and DIYers will likely have leftovers for years. Given the performance and the peace of mind on stone surfaces, the price feels justified. It’s made in the United States by a manufacturer with a long track record in plumbing consumables, which adds confidence.

Bottom line

Sta Put Ultra does exactly what I want a modern plumber’s putty to do: seal reliably, stay workable, and keep countertops pristine. It’s cleaner to handle than traditional formulations and more forgiving on high-end materials. Aside from packaging that could be sturdier, I don’t have meaningful complaints.

Recommendation: I recommend this putty to anyone installing drains, strainers, and similar fixtures—especially if you’re working on marble, granite, or other porous surfaces. It offers consistent, non-staining performance, easy cleanup, and future serviceability, without the mess and risks of oil-based putties or the permanence of silicone where it isn’t required.