Luster Dust... Really, I Can't Get It To Work!
Decorating By cakesbykitty Updated 7 Jul 2006 , 10:10pm by MissT
I know this topic has been beaten to death... but i am sooooo frustrated! i have luster dust (silver, gold, pearl) and i want to use it to create the effects I see on on all these gorgeous cakes! I have tried it twice and it has been a nightmare! first on my fathers day cake where it clumped and was so gross i had to scrape it off, then last night on some candy molds (shells for a beach cake i am assembling today) and it didn't even show up! and i tried it dry first... wouldn't stick. i am using vodka. HELP ME! I AM READY TO SCREAM! thanks all..... I'll do some deep breathing, have another cup of coffee, sit back and wait for all the wisdom to flow in 
Don't give up, try one more time.
Take a small amount of dust, say 1/8 tsp. Put in on a mixing surface. If you have a paint try, a plate, anything.
With a dropper, one drop at a time, add vodka until the dust dissolves.
Voila! paint.
the metallics do not work dry very well.
alaskanmom!!!! That is so weired.....I too never have luck with luster dust and want to use it for gold pages for a bible. I am crossing my fingers one last time. Then a second cake I am doing this weekend to look like flip flops. Last night I made chocolate sea shells and wanted to use luster dust but talked myself out of it. 
Good luck!!!!
Oh! I don't know. Maybe I do have the wrong stuff!!!!!
It definately sounds like you are using Wiltons sparkle dust. Sparkle dust is only for sprinkling on for a little shimmer. Luster dust is not made by Wilton and is nothing alike.
MissT - even when using alchol like vodka - it evaporates and no alchol remains on the cake. I usually use Lemon extract - but it has a high alchol content also...but again, it evaporates. If you are really concerned, I would suggest recommend that those family members do not eat the fondant.
As far as wilton's shimmer dust - I mad the same mistake the first time I tried painting with it....does not work the same. Don't give up..you'll get it. I just use silver luster dust on my 4th of July cake. I painted the stars. One hint. I used 3 or 4 coats of paint to get the desired effect. Just let it dry, then paint over it again, dry, paint, and so on untill you are happy with the color.
Good luck.
If you are painting Chocolate, adding vodka will never work.
Lustre paint, only works well on Fondant or other icings..
On Chocolate use pure dust, no liquid. It wil just slide off.
Chocolate candy does not absorb. (on the outside part).
I know this process can be expensive.
For painting on fondant--or buttercream, for that matter--you'll probably have the best results using lemon extract--the highest alcohol content extract readily available at the grocery store, etc. The oil in it helps the paint flow smoothly, so less clumping, and it also helps slow down the drying process allowing you more time to smooth things out evenly.
Also, make sure that your fondant has had time to dry on the surface (buttercream must have a good crust on it) so that you aren't dragging free sugar crystals into your brush bristles and back into your paint mixture. Use a good quality brush--I like nylon or natural hair--with nice fine, even bristles. Those plastic bristle brushes W****n markets can be rough enough to make ugly drag marks in the paint and in the fondant.
Practice on some leftover fondant--you can even cover a round cake pan with it so that you can get the hang of painting the sides. Start out with a thin paint and then let it dry out in the bowl until you like the flow and consistency. If the first coat is too thin/see through, just paint over it until your happy with the coverage--just like walls.
Rae
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