Ep. 32 - Glue vs. Glycerine vs. Baby Oil vs. Plain Water for Snow Globe Repair

Today's video was motivated by a subscriber question. He wanted our opinion on using Glue vs. Glycerine vs. Baby Oil. This video is the culmination of the previous four videos where we repair a globe with each of the substances and provide a side by side comparison as well as our opinion on using each.
Check out the individual globes that are in this video:

Some Helpful Links:

[ml]

This is hands down the best video about all theses formulas. And the most natural, informative and entertaining ! Thank you to the moon and back. Love you guys.

[pequodcrewmember]

you're right, it was hard to find information about this on the internet. thank you for making this video! really appreciated your scientific approach

[Thehumansmilyface]

I just had a very rare $89 snow globe break and I can’t afford to just buy another one and even if I could I’d rather use that money to help someone in need so the cheaper route is to just buy new glass and fix it.

This video is SO SO specific and honestly a gem! Seeing the difference between the different liquids and how they keep the snow going plus the clarity rating is SO helpful!!! I was originally just going to order glycerin from Amazon but now after seeing how long the baby oil keeps the flakes afloat longer, I might just might use that instead. You guys rock! I absolutely love and adore this channel. Bless you guys, Jesus loves ya! ❤

[momsbeingscaryagain]

Thank you for the ratio of glycerin to water! Now I can finish my project.

[adriennepalasti]

Thanks guys! My baby just broke his first snow globe which was a special gift representing the dog who just passed. I appreciate your show and thank you for the advice/comparisons!!!

[davidbader]

My understanding is that using glycerine is to inhibit freezing. Shipping in cold conditions could damage the snow globes.

[sherriianiro]

I am glad I got my old snowglobe professionally fixed because I know mold and paint fading are the main problems if it isn't done right.

[DarkenedCharliXo]

These are uncommon but there is such a thing as two tiered snowglobes. Mostly seen them by Disney to make it look like a layer of water (which it is but dyed blue) and then the rest of the globe is baby oil OR possibly even mineral oil since both are clear. The only difference is I heard mineral oil is thicker than baby oil. Maybe something to keep in mind if you ever find one that is two tiered or you want to make one two tiered. If shaken it does create bubbles but they do disappear and can be pretty in itself but these two tiered ones do not have glitter in them so I guess they're not really meant to be touched or shaken much.

Thank you for the video again guys, you're awesome!

[scantrahan]

Cheers, I love the scientific approach you took in your comparative experiment

[GabyCes]

Looking forward to restoring a couple cloudy snow globes from the 90s I bought online for my collection. This was super helpfull! Thank you! 😊

[luvnalaska]

I have a large snow globe I need to replace the liquid in and fix the train that goes around it. It’s 28/29 years old. This was super helpful. Thank you!

[glorygloryholeallelujah]

*THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!*
I’m hugging my phone, because I can’t hug you both directly!
I have been trying to find the best option to repair/fill a really sentimental globe of mine…and it has been driving me *NUTS!
It’s seems like every video lists one of these items and basically claims it to be the “one globe filler to rule them all!”—-but on the next video, it’s an entirely DIFFERENT product “to rule them all”! (Then it’s the same “rinse and repeat”over and over on every video/channel!)🤣🤦‍♀️

Thank you for not only taking the time to explain the different options—but to go as far as demonstrating them all to us, so we can get an idea of which one we like the look of most!(and price😁).

However, I DO have one itty bitty question though (sorry if it’s dumb—I’m totally new to all this! Lol)…
Does the BRAND of clear glue make a difference? I know it’s already a really cost effective option, but if I can spend even LESS (by skipping the brand name)…then yeah, I’m always going to go for that option, even if I won the lottery tomorrow, because seriously—what kind of a leprechaun would willingly blow their entire pot’o’gold on fancyass school glue?!?!. A dumb one, that’s who!!🤣

Ok, ok. I promise I’m done being overdramatic now! 🤣👍

[yvonnetucker]

SO glad to see more than one way to do thes globe's.

[CourtneyFrazer]

That makes more sense to use only baby oil since it doesn't mix with water! Also, that kitten snow globe is super cute!

[currentresident]

Didn't know there was so much that went into snow globes, Thanks

[audrianat]

I really enjoyed your video. I liked how you shook them next to each other for comparison. I read that you're supposed to used distilled water with the glue and glycerin to prevent mold in the future. If you have a Micheals you can find find 16 oz bottle for $6. Thanks for your time in making this.

[elizabethbolden]

Thanks for the video and comparison. I am trying to repair a few snowglobes.
I think the I hate baby oil comment is funny.
Being a geek I looked in to the different densities (or specific gravity) and viscosities of the water, glycerine and baby oil (mineral oil).
At 77°F or 25°C
- water has a specific gravity (SG) of about 1 and a viscosity of 0.893 cP (centipoise).
100% glycerine has a SG of 1.262 and a viscosity of 945 cP.
- 6% glycerine/water solution or about 2 Tablespoons of gylcerine mixed in 2 cups of water has a SG of 1.014 and a viscosity of 1.037 cP
- 11% glycerine/water solution or about 4 Tablespoons mixed in 2 cups of water has a SG of 1.026 and a viscosity of 1.186 cP.

Looking at food grade mineral oil rather than baby oil (about the same as mineral oil but has added fragrance which I understand can cause coloration over time)
- clear elmers glue has a SG of 1.03 and couldn't find viscosity.
- 100% mineral oil has a SG of about 0.87 and viscosity of about 20 cP.

In order to use glycerine at an equivalent viscosity as mineral oil you would need
- 71% glycerine/water solution or 78 Tablespoons glycerine mixed in 2 cups of water or 4.9 cups of gylcerine mixed in 2 cups of water which would have a SG of 1.185 and a viscosity of 19.5 cP.

Having not used clear Elmer's glue I can’t compare the viscosity of Elmer's to glycerine. But I would guess that the glue has a higher viscosity than 100% glycerine. So to get to a 20 cP viscosity using the glue I would think it would be less than that glycerine.
For comparison honey has a viscosity of ~2000 to 3000 cP and molassas has a viscosity of 5000 to 10000 cP.

At $21.88 a gallon Clear Elmer's glue,
$33.95 a gallon for bulk vegetable glycerin
And
$25.99 a gallon for food grade mineral oil.
Elmer's clear glue even increasing the amount to get a higher viscosity looks like the most economical.
Now to run experiments!

[ellwoodsmom]

Great video. TY. I’ve never fixed a globe before! 😜 I’m trying to figure out how to do it. Your videos have helped a lot. Wish me luck

[sanwow]

thanks for taking all the quess work out of it

[juanitamunoz]

Making our first snow globe with son. Thanks