I want to try IMBC or SMBC but want to know first does it crust, can you decorate with it? Could you smooth it with Viva?

IMBC and SMBC do not crust. You can however refrigerate until the icing is hard and use a Viva towel and the warmth from your hands to smooth. I often do that on the icing if it is going under fondant. You can get very smooth icing using the hot spatula method also, but it obviously takes a bit of practice.

You can decorate with it, but you have to have a couple bags going because when it gets warm it gets very soft.. so I like to be able to put the bag down for a while to let it cool down. I have hot hands too so that doesn't help.

I find that it is VERY easy to smooth. I put it on.. smooth it with a bench scraper and go over it with the scraper warmed (not hot hot). It smooths out very nicely. I always chill it before I put fondant over the cake too.

I wouldn't be putting fondant over it just the buttercream and I'd like to be able to do some piping, would it hold up for flowers?

Yes it will. I make roses with it and some drop flowers.. just be sure to not let it get too warm.

thanks!

All the flower cakes in my photos except the 3 tier one are all done in IMBC. It pipes very well indeed.

Wow, BakingGirl your cakes are gorgeous. Definately going to try this