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.
If you really want something that’ll hold up and stay clear-ish, maybe check out some of the marine-grade sealants.
Tried that route on my basement windows last fall. Here’s my quick and dirty process: tape off the edges, apply the marine stuff with a steady hand (it’s sticky as heck), smooth with a gloved finger, then immediately wipe any mess with mineral spirits. Not fun, but it’s still holding up after a brutal winter. Only downside—my hands smelled like a boatyard for days. If you go this way, wear old clothes and work outside if you can.
Only downside—my hands smelled like a boatyard for days.
That’s honestly the part that makes me hesitate. Did a similar thing with a clear marine sealant on my old basement window, and the stuff is no joke—super sticky, and it doesn’t come off anything easily. But I gotta admit, it’s been almost a year and that window’s bone dry, so can’t argue with results.
I’ve also tried the big box “window and door” caulks (the ones that say they’re flexible and paintable), but after two freeze-thaw cycles, they cracked right along the sill. Maybe it’s just our Midwest winters, but I’m starting to think the marine stuff is worth the mess and weird lingering smell.
If anyone’s worried about cleanup, I used nitrile gloves and an old plastic spoon to smooth it out instead of my finger. Still got some on my jacket though... lesson learned: don’t wear anything you care about.
I totally get the hesitation about the marine sealant mess—seriously sticky stuff. What worked for me: I taped off the area with painter’s tape, wore double nitrile gloves, and kept a rag with mineral spirits nearby for drips. After smoothing with a plastic spoon (good tip), I peeled the tape before it skinned over. Still had to toss the gloves, but cleanup was way easier, and no weird residue on my hands. The smell lingered a bit, but after a few days with the window cracked, it faded. For Midwest winters, nothing else has held up as well for me.
I’ll give you this—marine sealant is tough stuff, and it does hold up better than most caulks in nasty weather. I’ve found the prep is everything, like you said, but sometimes that smell just won’t quit. Curious—did you ever try one of the hybrid polymer sealants? I’ve had decent luck with them, especially in spots where silicone just didn’t last. Wondering if anyone else has had issues with yellowing, though...
Curious—did you ever try one of the hybrid polymer sealants? I’ve had decent luck with them, especially in spots where silicone just didn’t last. Wondering if anyone else has had issues with yellowing, though...
Yeah, I’ve messed around with a couple of those hybrids—Sikaflex and one from OSI. They definitely outlasted regular silicone for me, especially on south-facing windows that bake in the sun. But you’re right, the yellowing is real after a year or two. Doesn’t bother me much on exterior trim, but inside it’s kinda ugly. Prep really is the make-or-break, though... any dust or old caulk left and it just peels. Hang in there, leaks are such a pain but you’re on the right track experimenting.
Honestly, I’ve never been convinced the hybrids are worth the hype, at least not for interior stuff. The yellowing drives me nuts—especially when you’re trying to keep things looking clean indoors. I actually went back to using high-quality acrylic latex with silicone for my living room windows, and it’s held up way better than expected (plus, no weird discoloration). Maybe not as “forever” as the polymers claim, but at least it doesn’t look gross after a year. Prep is huge, yeah, but sometimes it just comes down to picking what fails less obviously...
Prep is huge, yeah, but sometimes it just comes down to picking what fails less obviously...
Man, I feel this. I tried one of those “lifetime” hybrids last year and the yellowing was way worse than any regular caulk I’ve used. Ended up scraping it out and switching back too. Sometimes the old-school stuff just works better, even if you have to redo it a bit more often. At least it doesn’t look like someone smoked a pack a day in the living room.