I'm a self taught newbie and don't have time to take any basic classes. I do know that I can improve my BC smoothing. I use the super wide tip to put the buttercream on the cake initially and use the wide angled spatula to smooth. I run it under hot water before smoothing but I just don't get that flawless look some of you professionals have. I use the Wilton BC recipe with shortening, butter, extract, sugar and milk. Also, when thinning BC for icing, I use clear corn syrup. Please help!
Check out the Melvira method that is very popular here: http://cakecentral.com/article83-Quick--Easy-Smooth-Icing-Using-a-Roller-Melvira-Method.html
There is a search feature on the message board, just look up smooth buttercream. I use the viva towel method in combination w/ other things I learned her from browsing the archives
youve gotten good advice already with the melvira method and the viva paper towel; some people use a sheet of computer paper after the paper towel to smooth further.
Make sure to put about a tablespoon of meringue powder in your icing so it will crust and make sure it is the right consistency. After you have iced wait aout 10-15 (so the icing crusts) then start your smoothing techniques!
HTH 
I use a #16 star tip to cover the sides of the cake, just go up and down until cake is covered, them smooth it out with my cake scraper in one turn on my turn table,which i finally found and i don't know how i live without it. It's the cheapest thing in the world but i couldn't find one anywhere. I got the star tip method from my Toba Garret book The Well decorated cake Also her spackling paste recipe works well too.
Thanks to all for your support. I am anxious to try. I was able to find the Melvira method easily but what am I doing wrong trying to look up the Viva method? I type in either Viva or Smooth Buttercream in the search bar and under "articles found" there is a topic called something like "How to create faux fondant / VIVA" and when I click on it I get a recipe!!???? Thanks a million.
Here is the link to the Viva method: http://www.cakecentral.com/article10-How-To-Create-Faux-Fondant-The-Paper-Towel-Method----Viva.html
VIVA paper towels is the way to go! I use to use wax paper, and the computer paper method, but now that I've found VIVA...no turning back. I get more comments from people wanting to know if my cakes are covered in fondant! That does the heart good to hear people as that...that says those paper towels can do a real smooth job!
Good luck! 
I personally like the upside-down method http://www.cakecentral.com/art.....Icing.html
I recently did this for a tiered cake and I had really sharp edges and smooth icing. Note - I did use a metal spakling knife and heated it slightly over the stop to get the icing super smooth.
I have been wanting to try the upside down method, the link wasn't working,and I couldn't find it in search. Anyone know where it is ?
Here's the link for the upside-down method: http://www.cakecentral.com/article6-Upside-Down-Icing-Technique-for-Perfectly-Smooth-Icing.html
I used to use the heated knife method then moved to parchment paper, I now use the Viva paper towel method. I wish I had found this site sooner, would've had more smoother cakes. LOL LOL
I will be trying a few other methods though 'cause I do have a hard time getting my edges sharp. I do but it takes me awhile. Would I find a spackler in the hardware dept.? I want one 'cause everyone else seems to have one HA HA HA HA HA. I just want to be like the best! 
I just bought myself set of 6" and 4" spackling knives this weekend for smoother cakes. They work wonders . Although my dh looked at me strangely. I told him I'd hang him by his toes in the garage if I caught him messing with "my" tools.
Now I just need to perfect those 90-degree shart angles.
These alllll sound awesome. Thanks to everyone, I can't wait to try!
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%