What is the best way to smooth out BC? I have hear some people talking about frozen rolled out bc like fondant. Im not to sure how that works. I have also heard something about paper towels? Any suggestions? Thanks a bunch MC
I myself am a newbie & I just attempted BC yesterday. I used the Viva paper towel method & it worked great! I was very pleased with the results. It's pretty simple. You ice your cake with a crusting buttercream. Then you wait about 10-15 minutes. Lay the Viva paper towel (smooth side down) over the cake & smooth it out - I used a fondant smoother, but you can use your hand. I did the top first & then the sides, but I've read that some people do sides & then top. You use Viva towels b/c they're smooth, plain & almost cloth like. I loved my results!
Here's a link you can go to for detailed instructions:
http://cakecentral.com/article10-How-To-Create-Faux-Fondant.html
Good luck! 
I use different methods. Viva Paper towels are good for the crusting buttercream, which is the one I mainly use (all shortening in the icing). However, there are days that I smooth the icing so well 
that I don't need the paper towell. I also spray some water from a spray bottle on the cake to help me smooth the icing...
Its a process of practice... The more you do, the better you get.
i use a metal cake smoother to smooth my sides of my cakes
I use a finely-misting spray bottle and lightly spray the cake after I have applied the icing and made it level. The fat in the icing repels the water, allowing your spatula to glide like silk over the top and sides of your cake, making it absolutely seamless. 
Decorate your cake after the water has evaporated.
Just so I am clear. You do this after the crumb coat, then you add more b/c and then smooth it out correct?
I never crumb coat cakes. I just ice as usual with buttercream, get my top and sides level and straight (a metal dough blade is ideal for getting your sides perfectly straight), and then mist the cake lightly with tap water (cool, not warm). The spatula glides right over the icing and the cake is perfectly smooth.
LOL, my students always ooohhh and aaahhh on the first night of Course I when I demonstrate that little trick. 
Enjoy!
I love this site Thank You all for the advise. I will try these ideas and see which one works well for me. Once again Thank you. MC
the upside down method works great too... heres the link
http://www.cakecentral.com/article6-Upside-Down-Icing-Technique-for-Perfectly-Smooth-Icing.html
I use the non-printed side of a Viva papertowel.. it smoothes the cake really well .. I wouldn't do it any other way now
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