Can anyone tell me what I should use to apply luster dust? I have heard that I should use some kind of alcohol, but I really dont want to do it that way. Someone also told me to use water, is that a good idea? I also heard someone say they used lemon extract, I dont have any lemon extract or alcohol and do not have time to go purchase any. Could I use water and it still look great or could I possibly use clear vanilla extract. I really have no idea. I have never used luster dust before and I really want this cake to look great because it is my first paying customer. Any help is greatly appreciated. I thank you all at CC for inspiring me to be a better decorator. Thank You to everyone!!
Water will not work well, it will be lumpy and gummy. Alcohol based works best, Everclear or Vodka. Lemon extract has lemon oil in it and I don't care for it, it takes longer to dry. You could try the clear vanilla, it depends on the alcohol content, if there is enough they should dry, not enough and the gumpaste flowers will be sticky. Depending on what it is you are dusting, and how much depth or shine you want, you can brush the dust on dry, kind of rub it into the flower with a dry artists paintbrush, shake off the excess dust and then hold the flower over a pan of boiling water. The steam will set the dust so it doesn't flake off on your iced cake and you will be surprised at how it changes when steamed, it will be shiny and pearl like. When dusting with a dry brush if you do it over a piece of computer printer paper you can make a funnel out of the paper when you are finished and pour the excess dust back into the container. If you use a paper towel it holds the dust like a magnet and you waste the dust.
Vanilla extract doesn't work really well. I asked this question a couple months ago, and tried it to see. It doesn't contain enough alcohol to evaporate fully. There's a lot of water in vanilla extract. Maybe you do like Shirley mentioned and dry brush it or dry brush and steam.
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