"Honestly, hearing about the shorter working time makes me a bit nervous... I'm pretty slow and careful when applying sealants."
I felt exactly the same way when I first tackled window sealing at my place. I'm pretty detail-oriented too, and the thought of rushing through something that needs to be watertight stressed me out. The masking tape tip mentioned above is spot-on—saved me from a lot of messy cleanup later. Also, I found that having everything laid out and ready beforehand really helped ease the pressure. If you're worried about Quad Max setting too quickly, maybe try a small test run on something less visible first? I did that on a basement window nobody ever sees, and it gave me a good feel for timing without the stress of perfection. Honestly though, if you're more comfortable with silicone, there's no shame sticking with what you know works. Better to take your time and feel confident than rush and regret it later...
I totally get the worry about shorter working times, but honestly, I think Quad Max isn't as intimidating as it sounds. I was pretty hesitant too at first, especially since silicone was my go-to for ages. But after giving Quad Max a try, I found it actually wasn't that hard to work with—even for someone who likes to take their sweet time (like me, haha).
One thing I've noticed is that silicone sometimes doesn't hold up as long as you'd hope, especially in weather-exposed areas. Last year, I sealed a bedroom window with silicone because I felt more comfortable using it, and now I'm already seeing some cracks and separation. Maybe it's just my luck, but that kinda pushed me to experiment with Quad Max on a different window. It definitely sets quicker, but not so fast that you can't smooth it out decently if you're prepared.
That said, testing it on a less noticeable spot first really helped my confidence. I did the garage window first—figured no one would notice if it wasn't perfect. Turned out better than expected, and now I actually prefer it over silicone. Also, having a cup of soapy water nearby to dip your finger in makes smoothing it out way easier than going dry.
Still, I totally respect sticking with silicone if that's what works best for you. Just saying, don't let the shorter working time scare you off completely—it's manageable if you prep ahead and give yourself a practice run somewhere hidden.
I appreciate your perspective on Quad Max, and I get why it's appealing—especially given your silicone experience. I've actually had pretty consistent results with silicone myself, but maybe that's because I'm super particular about prep work. I've found that thoroughly cleaning and priming the surface beforehand makes a huge difference in how well silicone holds up over time.
One thing I'd challenge a bit is the smoothing method with soapy water for Quad Max. While silicone responds really well to that trick, some polyurethane-based sealants can react negatively to soap residue, potentially affecting adhesion long-term. Not saying it'll definitely happen with Quad Max, but I've seen similar issues come up in other projects.
Personally, I tend to stick with silicone precisely because of that longer working window you mentioned—I like having extra time to finesse and double-check my work. But after reading your experience, I might reconsider giving Quad Max a shot on something minor just to compare notes. Seems worth exploring at least once...
Interesting points about Quad Max and silicone, but have you ever tried Geocel Proflex? I've had solid results with it, especially on tricky window leaks. Prep is still key, but it seems more forgiving if conditions aren't perfect... Curious if anyone else has experience with it?
Geocel Proflex is pretty solid stuff, I've used it a few times on older homes where the window frames weren't exactly cooperative. You're right about prep—still gotta clean things up—but Proflex does seem less picky about moisture or temperature swings compared to Quad Max. Had one job last fall where Quad just wouldn't stick properly (probably my fault, rushing things a bit...), switched to Proflex and it held up great through winter. Not a miracle worker, but definitely handy to have around.
Proflex is decent, but honestly, I've had better luck with OSI Quad Max when prep is done thoroughly. I get why some folks have trouble with Quad—it can be finicky if there's even a hint of moisture or dust left behind. The trick is to really slow down and clean the surface meticulously (I usually wipe down twice with rubbing alcohol). Once that's done, Quad Max bonds incredibly well and stays flexible through temp swings. Proflex is forgiving, sure, but for long-term reliability, I'd still lean toward Quad Max.
"Quad Max bonds incredibly well and stays flexible through temp swings."
Yeah, gotta agree with you there. Quad Max has held up pretty well for me too, especially around windows facing south that get baked by the sun all summer. Proflex is easier to work with, no doubt, but I've noticed it tends to dry out and crack sooner than I'd like. Quad definitely demands patience and prep—learned that the hard way—but once it's on properly, it seems to last longer through weather extremes. Just my two cents...
I've been following this thread closely since I'm dealing with a similar issue. Recently moved into an older home, and the previous owner had used Proflex around most of the windows. Initially, it seemed fine, but after just one winter-summer cycle, I've noticed some cracking and shrinking—especially on the west-facing side where the afternoon sun hits hardest. I haven't tried Quad Max yet, but from what you're describing, it sounds promising. My only hesitation is the prep work involved; I'm not exactly a pro at caulking, and I worry about messing it up. Still, if it holds up better through temperature swings, it might be worth the extra effort. Has anyone had issues with Quad Max adhering properly to older surfaces? Just want to make sure I'm not trading one headache for another...
"My only hesitation is the prep work involved; I'm not exactly a pro at caulking, and I worry about messing it up."
Totally get where you're coming from—caulking can feel intimidating at first. But honestly, Quad Max isn't too tricky if you take your time prepping. Just scrape away the old stuff thoroughly, clean the surface well (I usually wipe down with rubbing alcohol), and apply painter's tape for cleaner edges. Did this on my 60-year-old windows last year, and it's still holding strong through all seasons. You've got this!
Good tips on prep—I learned the hard way that rushing through it just means redoing everything sooner. Curious though, did you find Quad Max easy enough to smooth out? Some sealants I've used set up so fast they're tricky to get neat edges...