what kind of tool do you use to get such a smooth finish on the buttercream? i want my cakes to look perfectly cylindrical (sp), but i always get bumps...

I have a spakling knife I got from Home Depot. I run it until hot water and wipe it with a towel and then smooth my buttercream icing that way. I keep heating the knife, wipe it, repeat until I'm done.

The Melvira Method Works Great here is the article on it:
http://cakecentral.com/article83-Quick--Easy-Smooth-Icing-Using-a-Roller-Melvira-Method.html

I don't know what I did before it!!

I say EXERCISE!!

I use the Viva paper towel method, works like a charm.

Good question to ask. I was wondering the same thing. I covered my first cake in fondant this weekend and because the cake and icing weren't smooth, neither was the fondant. I haven't checked anywhere, but does Lowes or Home Depot carry the high density roller?

I got my high density Foam roller at Lowes!

I got the high density foam roller from Home Depot. They had quite a few of them! I tried it for the first time on two cakes this weekend (a regular BC and a chocolate BC). It worked GREAT! I have found my newest favorite decorating tool!

I got my roller at Lowes. I use melvira's method. I love it. Just be sure the roller is clean and completely dry.

VIVA paper towels are GREAT!!!

Okay, I was just kidding about the exercise comment

I use the high density foam roller as well. It comes in a number of sizes. And as posted on previous forums by other CC members, make sure it's the HIGH density foam. There's one that is a bit less compact and it won't do the same job.

Good luck!

While I'm asking and you are all so helpful, how do you get the cake itself to be a perfect cylindrical shape? Before you ice it, I mean.