I've used both, but only used the RTV for the full life of the seal. I'm on the 2nd one which I did with the self adhesive this time. The first one, the felt just eventually wore out and wasn't sealing well anymore. This is after YEARS. Time will tell on the self adhesive but it seems to be holding up. I think the self adhesive is going to look better. The red stuff just looks gross. Getting either off you smoker is about the same level of PITA. RTV might be easier to get off.