This is my third fondant cake. What does everyone think? I was happy with the results, but have a Long way to go on finnish work! How do I get my paint ( Lustre D) to be more even, when doing large areas. Thanks! 
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-photos-by-CakeArtLove.html
- Hope this html works...took me 1 1/2 hours to figure out how to download it!! 
i use a large paint brush and will sometimes go back over it with a thinner mix of luster dust and extract or whatever you use to make it more even. HTH
It's a beautiful cake. I have never tried painting the luster dust on. I always brush it on dry. I like that look better than the painted on. (It uses more dust then the painting method but, like I said, I just like it better. A much smoother, finished look. But that's just my opinion.
I've had a hard time getting it even for large areas too. Maybe you could try using a airbrush or Preval sprayer? I also finally broke down and bought a bottle of grain alcohol instead of using vodka and I had much better success. It dried so fast that the fondant had no chance of getting soggy from multiple coats.
I too had problems with painting large areas. It was after I did my slot machine cake that I was so unhappy with the results (painted with silver luster dust, dried than dusted with silver luster dust) that I invested in an airbrush. I think this is the only way for me to get that clean look. I have heard that it looks better if your fondant is tinted a base color (grey for silver luster dust, yellow/gold for gold luster dust) before painting or dusting. Maybe someone else will have better suggestions.
The "trick" is to get the paint the right consistency. THIS, my dear, takes practice! I STILL have to work on it a lot and I LOVE luster dust and paint it on all the time!
I do agree with Cathy that a thinner layer over all will help smooth the "rough edges" for you. Something else I have found is that SOME of the dusts don't cover well the first time. NuSilver is the WORST! I have a light pink I'm going to sponge paint tomorrow and already know that it's going to be a PILL to get the way I want it.
NICE WORK, by the way, on your cake.
Beth in KY
It's a beautiful cake. I have never tried painting the on. I always brush it on dry. I like that look better than the painted on. (It uses more dust then the painting method but, like I said, I just like it better. A much smoother, finished look. But that's just my opinion.
I used an incredible amount painting the dust on. I thought that the L Dust needed to be wet to adhere to the cake, but i'm going to try it dry next!
The "trick" is to get the paint the right consistency. THIS, my dear, takes practice! I STILL have to work on it a lot and I LOVE and paint it on all the time!
I do agree with Cathy that a thinner layer over all will help smooth the "rough edges" for you. Something else I have found is that SOME of the dusts don't cover well the first time. NuSilver is the WORST! I have a light pink I'm going to sponge paint tomorrow and already know that it's going to be a PILL to get the way I want it.
NICE WORK, by the way, on your cake.
Beth in KY
Thank you for the enoraging words! O how I tried that thin layer! But the strokes of "paint" were still visible. I let one coat dry, then tried to apply another to even the look. But instead the second coat took off the first coat!! and that is why the top looks a little clumpy with uneven color.
I read somewhere that you can use cocoa butter to use as a base for L. Dusts. Have you tried this?? Anyone??
How exactly do you do luster dust in an airbrush? Do you dilute the l.dust with the alcohol, and use it just like you would the liquid food coloring??
Does the airbrush clean out easily, or is there a trick for this??
thanks in advance!
How exactly do you do in an airbrush? Do you dilute the l.dust with the alcohol, and use it just like you would the liquid food coloring??
Does the airbrush clean out easily, or is there a trick for this??
thanks in advance!
I have read more than once that you should not use luster D. in airbrushes because it will clog the lines/sprayer. But - I don't have an airbrush...YET! Does everyone use L. Dust in their airbrushes?
The "trick" is to get the paint the right consistency. THIS, my dear, takes practice! I STILL have to work on it a lot and I LOVE and paint it on all the time!
I do agree with Cathy that a thinner layer over all will help smooth the "rough edges" for you. Something else I have found is that SOME of the dusts don't cover well the first time. NuSilver is the WORST! I have a light pink I'm going to sponge paint tomorrow and already know that it's going to be a PILL to get the way I want it.
NICE WORK, by the way, on your cake.
Beth in KY
Thank you for the enoraging words! O how I tried that thin layer! But the strokes of "paint" were still visible. I let one coat dry, then tried to apply another to even the look. But instead the second coat took off the first coat!! and that is why the top looks a little clumpy with uneven color.
I read somewhere that you can use cocoa butter to use as a base for L. Dusts. Have you tried this?? Anyone??
I have used cocoa butter, but, wasn't really thrilled with it. NOW, I made a cake this weekend and painting the bookmark (Houston's Cake 2007 in my gallery) using gel color and veg. oil. It was a little "sticky" so I dried it in the oven for a few minutes. I really kinda liked it. I'll have to play with it more. Mostly I use lemon extract.
Beth in KY
I use luster dust in my airbrush all the time. You dilute it with alcohol. I use Sky Vodka, but was told Everclear is the best. Keep a bowl of hot water near and when you are done, run the hot water through the airbrush. That will help move any lingering bits of dust. I also use an airbrush cleaner everytime I use my airbrush. You can also use q-tips to clean out the bowl. Also, make sure the line is clear and free of debris by blowing the line out dry when you are all done.
Thanks for the tips, rstml! I will try them. I didn't even know there was an airbrush cleaner, so I'll have to look into that! I've always just used hot water in the sprayer and blown the line clean, but I'm sure the cleaner is more thorough.
So helpful!
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