Viva Paper Towel ?

Decorating By clb307 Updated 2 May 2006 , 3:58pm by kelleym

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clb307 Posted 27 Apr 2006 , 6:05pm
post #1 of 21

Hi All.

So I've heard all the wonderful things about smoothing BC with Viva paper towels and went out and got some to try.

Now this may sound dense.....but.....How exactly do you use them? I made a cake last night and was going to Viva it to make it perfect like I've seen so many of you do. I smoothed the BC with my spatula, then got a paper towel wet, walked over to the cake and went.....ok...now what. I tried to smooth it by wipping it but that didn't work so well. It just moved to BC or took big chucks off. So then I tried just laying the paper towel on the cake and smoothed it with my hand. That worked well for the top of the cake, but not the sides. But it did give it a great "faux fondant" look!

So my question is: How exactly do you use the Viva towel to smooth BC? icon_confused.gificon_redface.gif

Thanks!

20 replies
Kimanalynn Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Kimanalynn Posted 27 Apr 2006 , 6:10pm
post #2 of 21

You don't wet the paper towel; you let your buttercream crust, and then place the paper towel over the icing to smooth it. I will see if I can find some more topics for you.

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jennrick1 Posted 27 Apr 2006 , 6:11pm
post #3 of 21

You should use a dry paper towel. I normally smooth the top of my cake first and then work on the sides. Sometimes if my icing is too thick on the sides of the cake it won't smooth out nicely.

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KHalstead Posted 27 Apr 2006 , 6:11pm
post #4 of 21

yes just lay it on top of the icing after it has set up about 10 min. or so....and then rub over it gently with your hand and lift it up and you will see perfectly smooth icing.....supposedly works well with comp. paper too....who knew??

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ozzynjojo Posted 27 Apr 2006 , 6:12pm
post #5 of 21

I just lay the paper towel (not wet) on top and smooth with my spatula or hand. the sides can be a little tricky. I usually cut my paper towel in half and then kinda, let it hang from the top to the side and then smooth (hope that makes sense)

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Kimanalynn Posted 27 Apr 2006 , 6:12pm
post #6 of 21
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Stogz Posted 27 Apr 2006 , 6:13pm
post #7 of 21

I start off the same. Put icing on the cake and try to smooth as much as I can with a knife. Then you take a viva papertowel (right off the roll, dont get it wet) and place it on top of the cake and just rub with your hand all around the top. I have to pull up the papertowel several times and move it around to get the whole top. Then just do the same for the sides. The buttercream has to be the kind that crusts and it has to be dry enough to where it does not stick to the papertowel. By the time I am done putting all the icing on and smoothing with a knife it is ready for the papertowel...it takes me awhile icon_smile.gif

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clb307 Posted 27 Apr 2006 , 6:18pm
post #8 of 21

AAHHHHH! See I thought I was supposed to do it before it crusted! I don't know why I got it wet now that I think about it.....probably because I use the hot wet spatula technique to smooth also.

Thanks for the clarification!! thumbs_up.gif

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ConnieB Posted 27 Apr 2006 , 6:22pm
post #9 of 21

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have tried the copy paper smoothing method and it works GREAT!!!!!!!

Same goes for thaat as the BC, let it crust then use the copy paper! thumbs_up.gifusaribbon.gif

HTH
Connie

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Zmama Posted 27 Apr 2006 , 6:29pm
post #10 of 21

ROFL!

I, too, tried this without success. I let the bc crust, put on the viva, and tried to smooth the cake with the papertowel. Umm, didn't work. Gotta smooth the paper towel with hands, not cake with papertowel. Oops!

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debbie2881 Posted 27 Apr 2006 , 8:10pm
post #11 of 21

For the sides just rub sideways and turn as you rub, dont be afraid to use a little pressure. I never had a problem using some pressure. Hope it works out.

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cakegirlnc Posted 27 Apr 2006 , 8:24pm
post #12 of 21

I don't mean to sound dense either but does it hve to be the VIVA brand or will any paper towel do? Also did you mean you can also use regular computer copy paper? icon_rolleyes.gif If so I will try both, thanks for the tips.

icon_biggrin.gif [/quote]

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newcakelady Posted 27 Apr 2006 , 8:27pm
post #13 of 21

Viva is really thick, I think that is why it works so great.

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ConnieB Posted 27 Apr 2006 , 8:29pm
post #14 of 21

Viva will not give you a design, just a smooth surface! that is the only paper towel that will do that.

Yes, just plain computer copy paper! usaribbon.gif

HTH
Connie

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Birdlady Posted 27 Apr 2006 , 8:30pm
post #15 of 21

HI ALL!
YES IT HAS TO BE VIVA! IT IS THE ONLY PAPERTOWEL WITHOUT A PRINT ON IT.

AS FOR THE SMOOTHING, YOU NEED TO LET THE CAKE CRUST, AND I USE MY HAND. I FIND USING THE SPATULA TENDS TO LEAVE MARKS.

ONE TIP, I CAN SHARE. WHEN DOING THE SIDES, MOVE YOUR HAD UP AND DOWN, NOT SIDE TO SIDE. IF YOU GO SIDE TO SIDE, YOU LEAVE THE INDENTIONS OF YOUR FINGERS.

HAVE TO ADMIT, I LOVE MY VIVA!!!

GOOD LUCK
DAWN

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charman Posted 27 Apr 2006 , 8:56pm
post #16 of 21

I have also used the VIVA towel in conjunction with the Pampered Chef pizza roller...the larger roller works well with the sides. Just another hint!

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cakegirlnc Posted 28 Apr 2006 , 2:12pm
post #17 of 21

Thanks for the tips. I have a cake to bake for my next class and I can't wait to try this. icon_lol.gif

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ConnieB Posted 28 Apr 2006 , 3:08pm
post #18 of 21

Pampered Chef Roller!!!!!! I have one of those....what a great idea!!!!! Thanks you alot Charman! usaribbon.gif

Connie

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DiscoLady Posted 28 Apr 2006 , 3:17pm
post #19 of 21

...of course if you want a pattern in your icing you can use a paper towel with a pattern, that works nicely too.
I use a piece of fabric to smooth my cakes.

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cakegirlnc Posted 2 May 2006 , 2:44pm
post #20 of 21

I tried the VIVA paper towel last night and my cake looks wonderful! Of course until I put on all the decorations on it it kinda looks plain. But I'm just glad it turned out with a nice smooth look. Thanks for the tips ladies. I can't wait to decorate it! icon_biggrin.gif

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kelleym Posted 2 May 2006 , 3:58pm
post #21 of 21

I like using Viva for smoothing the top and sides of the cake, but on the edge I always get a "lip". Do you guys use the Viva on the edge or do you get them nice and crisp another way?

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