Do the exhaust rings fitt loose enough to need something sticky on em,or do I have the wrong rings?
Sounds like you have the right ones. until they squish down they will fit rather loosely. I think when we did my friends bike a very slight squeeze to make them e tiny bit out of round will hold it in nicely.....(I mean a tiny squeeze) it should still be a loose fit but will touch the side just enough to hold itself until you can get the exhaust up there.
--remember to pry the old ones out
--remember these will not squish down the first torqing......as they compress the nuts will get loose....check before and after every ride for 5 or six times