The flat back marbles on the garden globes I made are coming off. Rain

Jo Ann Skeels
by Jo Ann Skeels
I has rain here for three days.
  10 answers
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Jul 03, 2013
    Let them dry out and glue back on. You might need to remove whatever adhesive you used originally. What did you use? Are your globes glass?
  • Cynthia Cynthia on Jul 04, 2013
    Look for a clear silicone that adheres glass to glass.
  • Miriam Illions Miriam Illions on Jul 04, 2013
    I'm tagging @Empress of Dirt - Melissa. I know she's made these, so she might have some sggestions, too.
  • 141737 141737 on Jul 04, 2013
    Thanks @Miriam I . I have made a lot of garden globes, testing many different adhesives and they do not all work the same. Here's what I do: 1. Start with a clean, dry globe (I use glass lamp globes but it's the same for bowling balls). 2. Use GE Silicone II - pick the waterproof, clear-drying one intended for outdoor doors and windows, or the one made for outdoor flashing. This is the only brand I've used that always works. It's a sealant but works as an adhesive only if applied right. Other brands of sealants I've tried do not work like this one does. 3. Apply a generous amount when attaching the marbles. This sealant is not truly a glue - it actually keeps the marbles in place by grabbing them in place (not sticking to them, really), so you want sealant both under the marbles and all around them. 4. Read the instructions on the label and allow the recommended drying time. 5. The project will be water resistant but no sealant will work continually if sitting in water. A garden ball should be fine because rain water rolls right off. I agree with @360 Sod (Donna Dixson) that you'll want to remove everything and start again. It will be worth it in the end to have a nice piece of garden art that lasts a long time. I've got one that has endured 12 Canadian winters so far! I hope this helps. I was actually just preparing a new blog post on making these when this message popped up! I'll be posting it on Hometalk soon.
  • Frances Frances on Jul 04, 2013
    We are just doing the glass jars and using the waterproof silicon. Second week of rain here, but will put them out and see what happens.
  • Miriam Illions Miriam Illions on Jul 04, 2013
    @Empress of Dirt - Melissa you're awesome. :)
  • Jacqueline Elaine Jacqueline Elaine on Jul 05, 2013
    Jo Ann, the same thing has happened to my garden ball as well. I was working on my second one when I noticed the marbles coming off my finished globe outside. We have had numerous severe storms the past few months too and maybe that was a bit much for the garden ball. I was bummed. However, after reading this post, I'm going to give it a try again!
  • Becky Blue Becky Blue on Jul 06, 2013
    i dont know if this will help but the other day i was watching a home improv. show and they mentioned for outdoor projects, use aquarium glue/adhesive? it makes sense.Might be worth a try.
  • Mssmatch Mssmatch on Jul 10, 2013
    that's the answer, aquarium glass glue and make sure to remove old adhesive before u start over.
  • Grace Gleason Grace Gleason on Aug 29, 2014
    The ladies at Flea Market Gardening http://www.fleamarketgardening.org/ recommend clear GE Silicone II for Windows and Doors or E6000. They do a lot of outdoor glass work, gazing globes, etc., and say these are the two adhesives that stand up to the weather.