Gluing Gum Paste Pieces Together

Decorating By LindieLu Updated 4 Oct 2010 , 4:12pm by Cakes4Max

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LindieLu Posted 23 Apr 2010 , 4:25am
post #1 of 4

I am a newbie to gum paste. I am making a chain with it and was wondering what to do about adhering 2 pieces of gum paste together. What do I use??

3 replies
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ceshell Posted 23 Apr 2010 , 5:10am
post #2 of 4

Best option is to use gum glue which can be made by a) dissolving some tylose powder in water or b) dissolving a little bit of gumpaste in water. The thicker you want your glue, the less water you use. If the colors match, you could also use a teeny dab of royal icing.

I personally have never used RI as glue. I use tylose+water now but prior to that, like for two years, I used gumpaste dissolved in water. You only need a tiny bit, like a pea-sized amt or even less, and if you have a small enough dish it helps to melt the gp in the micro for about 5-8 secs first. Then dab it onto your pieces with a paintbrush or toothpick. It will take a while to set.

Yet another option is to use candy melts. They harden up faster. However this is no good if you like to dry your gumpaste figures in the oven under the lightbulb...icon_redface.gif

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CakeDiosa Posted 23 Apr 2010 , 5:11am
post #3 of 4

egg white is an option. a little goes a long way so don't get your pieces too wet.

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Cakes4Max Posted 4 Oct 2010 , 4:12pm
post #4 of 4

I've made maybe a dozen gumpaste figures. I made the tylose glue as suggested. Maybe 50% of my figures fall apart once I touch them. When you say it will take a while to set... what sort of time frame are we talking? I left some for 12 hours and some others for a day. I did notice if it gets too wet it seems gooey which I figure can't be good. I glue when there's at least one fresh piece of fondant involved. My figurines are getting a very positive response and people are asking for them, but I hate to use them on a cake not knowing they will make it to the party. Last night I did a cake for an 8 year old and the bicycle fell apart just before the candle! EEK... he was a great sport about it and toothpick back supports to the rescue. But I was embarrassed and would like to prevent this in the future. i had already had to hot glue a few of the pieces last minute... pieces that I had made 3 days prior and decided to come apart 20 minutes before the party. icon_redface.gif

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