I would like to do a Rainbow on my next cake, and would like to hand paint it. Could I dilute color (Wilton) with a Vodka and paint with a soft brush directly on BC? I am just not sure if that's possible. I don't have an Airbrush, and I know I could purchase the color mist cans, but was thinking to do it this way. Any tips or recommendation?

I am in the same boat and would very much like an answer to that. I have to have this cake ready by Saturday. If anyone out there has the answer please reply.

Look in my photos. The skateboard cake is buttercream and I painted on it using airbrush colors. Same thing for the spots on the cows.

So yes you can paint on a buttercream cake (crusting buttercream that is). You want a soft brush and a soft touch. I like using airbrush colors because they are alraedy thinned down, but you can thin down your color pastes with alcohol as well. I like using everclear when I do that since it evaporates so fast.

I'm thinking if you paint on buttercream it might bead up a little since there is a lot of grease (butter or shortening) in BC but it might work if crusted (smear some on a sheet of waxed paper, let it dry and test it out)
One good idea would be to buy the petal dusts in rainbow colors and brush them on dry or use powdered food coloring.

I painted on crusting buttercream and it looked good, I used airbrush colors.

Hmm..you got me thinking here, maybe I could use some colored sugar and sprinkle the line of rainbow, it might sparkle too. I just did not want to the rainbow stick out, so I don't want to pipe it.

yes, you can paint on crusted b/c .. just like texas sugar said..

I'm guessing the same goes for fondant? I have Americolor & wilton gels/pastes. Just thin down with Vodka and paint? I have a camoflauge cake to do for this weekend and i am NOT going to tediously apply pieces of fondant.

Yep you can paint of fondant too. (Guitar Hero Guitar and the Skateboarders cake were fondant and painted on.)

Thanks to those who replied - it really helps.

Thank You for you ideas. I will try to paint on board and see how it works, or use the sugar sand, I think it might be easier and it will add some spark. Thanks

So...when painting on fondant you thin down gels/colors with alchohol or everclear? Is that right? Can you use, say, alchohol? Pardon me but what is everclear? I am making a tee pee and want to put a few designs on it and wanted to try painting some on. Thanks. Irene

You want an alcohol that you would drink.

Some people will use lemon extract as well since it has a high alcohol content. The three alcohols I've always heard to use are vodka, gin, or everclear.

Everclear has an high alcohol content in it, so it evaporates really fast. Some states do not allow it to be sold though. If you don't drink you can go get a little small bottle and it will last you a while because you are only using small amounts to thin down the color paste.

I use everclear as well. That stuff is fabulous. Just remember to keep the lid on it. it evaporates really fast. I love how it works on fondant.

here is a link on which states sell everclear. http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/60191

oh let me add.. just call your local liquor store..that list changes all the time.

I have vodka that I've used on my last cake to apply edible images onto the cake. May even have a martini while finishing this one! Thanks for the help! Irene

In my house vodka is for drinking, everclear is for cakes. I have had a bottle for atleast 5 years and am still using it. I'll need to replace it before the year is over, but a little does go a long way for me.