I just realized that I am out of Viva paper towels. Is there anything else I can use? Parchment, wax paper, etc.? The hot spatula never works well for me, so any quick advice I can get, I would appreciate. Thanks!

Parchment paper

If its crusting...Computer paper.

I was going to say compter paper too, but know that with the computer paper, once it starts to stick a bit, start a new piece. It doesn't absorb the moisture as VIVA does. Compter paper is what Sharon Zambino (spelled right?)aka Sugarshack, uses.

I always use parchment paper

A bit late, but my friend taught me the niftiest trick ever. Go on ahead and start with the parchment. But buy you one of those mini roller brushes at the hardware store, and roll your icing. The finish will be similar to fondant in smootheness.

Are those roller brushes food safe?

Good old bench scraper the first time around.

rollers are safe if you buy it new and only use it for cakes. you need a high-density foam roller brush. But I still like to use something in between the cake and the brush, like parchment paper or Viva.

Thank goodness for Viva...I SUCK using a bench scraper. I can never get a vertically level eveness and always end up scraping instead of smoothing. I'm quite the bench scraper loser...

Exactly, my roller is for cakes only, new and sanitized. I also use the parchment for most of it. The roller is for the extra smooth, cause sometimes my parchemnt paper sticks in some spots.

I use a small paint roller rolled in flour