Mixing Fondant & Lustre Dust Question, Please Advise Me
Decorating By lorrieg Updated 24 Aug 2007 , 7:03pm by melysa
I have a cake that will be covered in fondant and I want to brush it with copper lustre dust. I don't want to have to use a ton of the dust- would you suggest I brush it on with a big blush brush maybe?
Or could I mix it directly into the fondant before I roll it out? Has anyone tried that?
I tested painting with clear vanilla and the dust and I don't care for the look but maybe I've mixed it incorrectly.
Thanks for any help you can give me.
For a more metallic finish, the dust needs to be mixed with alcohol of some sort to make paint. A small amount of dust and add alcohol a drop at a time until you have a brightly colored liquid.
A large soft brush is useful for larger areas and you obtain a much softer color.
Mixing it into fondant will color the fondant brownish, but will not shine
If you decide to make a paint (which is beautiful), if just dusting isn't the effect you want, be sure to use vodka, gin, everclear, or just plain lemon extract to make the paint.
Good luck!!
Holly
If you use the big brush, make sure you tap and blot the excess off very well or the first stroke will be very dark. You can't lighten it once you've done that and you'll wind up having to do the whole cake with a heavily loaded brush just so it will be even.
Thanks Holly & Diane. I'll try the brush first and I get what you mean when you say blot the brush. That could get ugly if you didn't. 
I'm remaking the bow and using gumpaste. Maybe a touch of fondant. The way I did it it's never going to dry and I don't like the colours I did. Some days you just shouldn't get out of bed.
Do you guys make everclear in your own stills? I looked it up on the net and it's about 800 Proof! I haven't seen it here but I do have Vodka. And if worse comes to worse, I can drink it and forget the cake. 
Haha! I guess that's one way to look at it.
Well, personally, I just use vodka and lemon extract. I've never used Everclear, but a lot do. Basically, alcohol is used because it evaporates quickly.
I don't drink much any more, so I've had a 1/5 of Stoli in my cupboard for about 7 years now.. heh
Take care!
Holly
Good idea MissRobin. I was trying to change the hideous colour I had (it got brighter and yuckier as it started to dry) but I know that they will never dry enough in time for the weekend. 
It's just too humid. I did put some gum arabic in it but it doesn't seem to be helping. So I just started over with gum paste. It's already starting to dry. I think I'll pearlize the whole thing. And when I'm done, I'll drink whatever is left of the alcohol and I won't care. 
Do you guys make everclear in your own stills? I looked it up on the net and it's about 800 Proof! I haven't seen it here but I do have Vodka. And if worse comes to worse, I can drink it and forget the cake.
Hahahaha... forgetting about the cake would be the LEAST of your problems! My 18 year old son knows where I keep my bottle. If he dips into it, he won't be able to hide the fact that he's dead! Unless he uses it as an ingredient (it's primary purpose), in which case, let the party begin!
Everclear, or grain alcohol, is illegal in some states. That may be why you can't find it.
Do you have an airbrush? I use that a lot to make my cakes sparkle..I mix the achahol and dust togther and put it through the brush.
I have started putting my vodka in an unmarked container, as I keep it on my work bench. I got too many comments about why I have a bottle of vodka sitting there! Nobody ever believes me when I tell them what I use it for!
I don't have an airbrush. I'm not sure I'd get the use out of it but maybe I would with the lustre dusts. Painting was messy (but fun). I made beads to go around the bottom of the cake and I did those with the vodka and dust. I brushed the cake & bow parts with a big brush.
My kids are old enough to buy their own liquor. (It's 19 here not 21) They do look at me strangely when they see the bottle because I hardly ever drink. I would rather eat my calories. I can be *fun* all on my own.
I was looking at this discussion and have a question about the alcohol. Can you taste it when it dries?
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%