I've used GE Silicone II myself a couple of times, and honestly, I wasn't super impressed with how clear it stayed. It didn't exactly turn yellow like some cheaper ones I've tried, but after about two years it definitely got cloudy and lost that nice transparent look. Not terrible, but noticeable enough to bug me every time I walked past the window.
If you're really concerned about long-term clarity, you might want to try Lexel instead. It's pricier, but I've had better luck with it staying clear over time. I sealed around my kitchen window with Lexel maybe four or five years ago, and it's still looking pretty good—no yellowing or cloudiness yet. Plus, it sticks really well to different surfaces, even when they're damp (which saved me once during an emergency leak situation in the rain).
One thing I'd gently push back on though is the idea that any sealant will stay perfectly clear forever. In my experience, even the best stuff eventually shows some wear or discoloration due to dirt buildup or UV exposure. Regular cleaning helps a lot—just wiping it down occasionally can keep things looking decent longer.
Anyway, if clarity is your main concern, I'd lean toward Lexel or something similar rather than GE Silicone II. But if you're mostly worried about leaks and durability—and don't mind a little cloudiness down the road—GE Silicone II is still pretty reliable overall.
"One thing I'd gently push back on though is the idea that any sealant will stay perfectly clear forever."
Yeah, that's a good point—nothing stays perfect forever, especially when it's constantly exposed to sunlight and weather. I've used GE Silicone II around my bathroom window and had the same experience you described: decent durability but cloudy over time. Honestly, it didn't bug me too much since it's in a spot that isn't highly visible.
If you're tackling a window that's front-and-center though, Lexel sounds like a solid recommendation. I've heard similar good things from neighbors who've used it outdoors. Just make sure you prep the area well—clean thoroughly, scrape off old caulk completely, and let everything dry properly before applying the new stuff. Taking your time with prep work really pays off in the long run.
Hang in there—once you've got it sealed up right, it'll feel great every time you walk by and see a clear, leak-free window again.
Honestly, I’m not sold on Lexel being that much better than silicone in the long run. I tried it on a couple of my old wood windows last year—prepped everything just like you said, scraped and cleaned until my hands hurt. Looked great for a while, but after one summer and a rough winter, it started yellowing and lost some flexibility. Didn’t crack, but didn’t stay “invisible” either.
If you really want something that’ll hold up and stay clear-ish, maybe check out some of the marine-grade sealants. They’re made to take a beating from sun and water. Downside is they can be a pain to work with and cleanup is no joke, but I’ve had better luck with those around exposed areas.
At the end of the day, I guess nothing’s truly maintenance-free. Just gotta pick your battles... or your windows.