Repairing a Snow Globe – Glass Still Intact

Has the water in a gift from Grandma discolored over the years? Does your keepsake have an air bubble? Most snow globes can be repaired relatively easily with a little crafting skill and the right accessories.

Refill Ports on Plastic Globes

Classic plastic snow globes—such as photo globes, FIMO globes, or motif globes from the manufacturer Walter & Prediger—have a refill port at the bottom of the base. You can simply remove the plug and fill it with water (be sure to use distilled water!).

Glass Snow Globes With and Without Music Boxes

Standard glass snow globes do not have a refill port because they are sealed with a rubber stopper. Therefore, you must first check if you can access the globe from below.

• With a Music Box: This is relatively easy if a music box is built-in (glued in). You can usually loosen it from the base quite easily using a flat-head screwdriver. Alternatively, you can use an adhesive remover. Once the music box is out, pull the rubber stopper out of the globe to replace the water or top it off. Again, always use distilled water.

• Without a Music Box: The globe itself must be separated from the base. There are several ways to do this:

  • Dishwasher: The hot water dissolves the glue. You must act quickly and pull the globe out of the base immediately after the cycle.

  • Hot Air: Use a very hot hair dryer or a heat gun.

  • Adhesive Remover: Unfortunately, this often doesn't work well because the remover cannot reach the glue deep inside the joint.

  • Hot Water: Place the globe in hot water up to the upper edge of the base to soften the adhesive.

In this video, we show you how to repair a snow globe where the glass is still intact, but the water has become cloudy or evaporated.