I'm covering a 5 tier square cake using fondant (with tylose) panels. This is the second attempt because I wanted it to have a clean 360 view. But now, I can't get a seamless look. I don't know how to make these seams (where panels meet) look clean. I tried spackling it with royal icing but it doesn't look clean. I don't want to use dilluted fondant because I'm afraid it might ruin it. Ugh, is there any way I can have a clean seam? Any ideas?

I wasn't going to mention this until I tried it myself, but here goes:

I was struggling with fondant one day and got desperate. I grabbed a hair dryer and my palette knife with a metal blade. I shot heat on the seams and the tears while smoothing it with the knife. I didn't work perfectly but at least it gave me hope.

I'm not comfortable using a hair dryer as I know how much of my hair and dust gets into it, so I bought one of those tiny craft irons at Joann Fabrics. I couldn't find one at Hobby Lobby or Michaels. I used a 40% off coupon, but it's still pricey something so small. I haven't had the chance to try it yet but I'm hoping it will work even better than the hair dryer. The tiny size of the head means I can get into smaller areas and the heat will be either directly applied or I may place a food safe barrier between the iron and the cake- it depends on how it goes. Additionally, I won't be blowing God know what onto the cake.

Only for you, Rylan, would I admit my attempts at fixing fondant like this. I don't know if it the best idea ever or really stupid. LOL

I don't have any experience with fondant panels but if you're looking for another heat source, you could try a heat gun that's used for embossing cards and scrapbooking projects. Available at any craft store. It is much smaller than a hair dryer and you can aim it at a specific area. Just a thought. Good luck.

Could you put something over the? Like a "ribbon" of fondant done it that folds evening on both sides, or even a rope that covers the seams?

I use thinned fondant. I know you said you didn't want to try this, but I've found it works better than anything else.... the color match is always perfect. If you're worried about it leaving a shine, rub a little shortening over the entire surface of the fondant. I'd suggest trying this with some left over fondant and see how it looks. Good luck!

Can you just make a piece to cover it? Like an extra covering on the corners? If I were at home, I'd send you ssome pictures of some ideas of doing that which look pretty nice.

When I did the wine cake, I used melted chocolate and ran my finger over it to smooth it out and it worked really well. This would be hard to match if you used a unique color fondant. SugarShack uses the royal and then runs her finger over it to remove the excess and hers look seriously perfect.

How are you removing the excess Royal?

My advice will probably be useless since you are so talented, but here it goes anyways... First I would make sure that the panels are cut exactly so they cover the length of the cake, plus the thickness of the panel that is going to be on the immediate side. Then, I would get a tip #1 with stiff royal icing and I would pipe right in the seam and wipe the excess.
In my mind that will yield a pretty good seam, and your work is so clean always that I have no doubt you can pull it off!

Hi everyone, thanks for all your tips! Unfortunately, the panels are half dry and so I can no longer blend the seams together--even if I warm it up.

I'll try the candy melts and thinned fondant and hopefully it works. As for the royal icing, I apply it as if I would spackle a wall (and scrape it off). It doesn't look clean. The panels perfectly fit together, it's just that the seams bother me. I was thinking of hiding them but I have no idea how without dramatically changing the design.

Not to hijack your thread Rylan (LOVE your work btw!), but...

What is "thinned fondant", how do you get/make it & what's it used for? Very curious about this!

You can make thinned fondant by mixing a small amount of fondant with either shortening or water. I put it in the palm of my hand and "smush" it together until I get a thick paste consistency. Using your finger, fill in the seam with paste and smooth it out. I use it to fill in seams or small cracks. It's always worked very well for me. HTH

Thanks so much for all the tips! I did try all suggestions and it seems like that a better version of royal icing worked. There are some seams but not very visible (after tons of work).