Hi CC..I am a beginner and in need of assistance with smoothing my icing. I've tried hot water using a spoon/spatula and parchment paper. My cake icing still doesn't look smooth enough to me. I would like to improve that. Any solutions you have would be appreciated. 
I had a heck of a time smoothing frosting too. My problem was the thickness of my icing. Once I thinned it down with water, I heard about the viva paper towel method. Taking viva paper towel and smoothing the frosting once its crusted ( I use the fondant smoother because I have "hot hand" syndrome" ). After combining both of these Im very pleased with how my frosting turns out each time!
In my opinion, Viva Papertowels is the hands down winner when it comes to smooth icing cakes. I avoided buttercream wedding cakes for a year because I was terrified of having to smooth ice the cakes. I had even read over and over again about how well Viva papertowels worked. But, being the naysayuer that I can be sometimes, I thought , "Nah" and didn't try them.
Then, one day I was forced to do a buttercream wedding cake. I picked up a pack of Viva papertowels, and the rest is history. Viva papertowels are a staple in my house now and my husband and kids know its "hands-off". You owe it to yourself to try this method. I'm confident you'll see immediate results.
Hint- I always refrigerate my iced cake for about 15-20 minutes then I use the Viva papertowels to smooth it out. Works like a charm!!!!
I had a heck of a time smoothing frosting too. My problem was the thickness of my icing. Once I thinned it down with water, I heard about the viva paper towel method. Taking viva paper towel and smoothing the frosting once its crusted ( I use the fondant smoother because I have "hot hand" syndrome" ). After combining both of these Im very pleased with how my frosting turns out each time!
Ditto! I was most pleased with this method. The smoothest frosting ever.
A trick I learned from someone on cc (sorry, I can't remember who) was to use a foam paint roller. You can't even imagine how great this works. I havn't posted a picture of the cake I used this method on, but will try to get it up sometime this week.
This is what I've used for years and it works good with either the parchment paper or the foam roller. I mix first 2 cups crisco and 2 tsp clear vanilla and 1/2 tsp butter flavoring. Then I add part of a 1/2 cup of milk and alternate the 2lbs of powdered sugar until all the milk and sugar are used up. Sometimes if I'm not making flowers I will add just a couple tbls more milk. It works for me hope it does for you. 
Oh let it crust for about 10-15 min then use the roller or parchment paper with your hands or the roller it comes out smooth either way. I've yet to try the Viva towels.
A trick I learned from someone on cc (sorry, I can't remember who) was to use a foam paint roller. You can't even imagine how great this works. I havn't posted a picture of the cake I used this method on, but will try to get it up sometime this week.
That's the melvira method. She's working on a tutorial for it. It works great for me.
I use the Viva method on crusting buttercream, but I have no clue for non-crusting buttercream. The Melvira method doesn't work for me. As for a frosting recipe; I have yet to find one that I really like. I don't even like frosting so it's difficult to find one that I'm happy with. 
This explains faux fondant, and Melvira method, as well as previous threads on smoothing icing:
http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-55808-.html
HTH
I think the viva paper towel method works pretty good. I didn't have good luck with the roller, but maybe I needed it to crust longer before trying it. The best method for me is putting on a thick enough layer of icing, then take a paint spackle knife (big one) and first smooth the top, then hold the knife straight up and down on the side, then turn your turn table in one smooth turn while smoothing out the side of the cake. For me this is the best method, and it doesn't look like faux fondant.
Tried 'viva'-works okay
spackle knife works pretty good too
really like the faux fondant.
really anxious to try melvira method-sounds great
In the end,I think it's just a matter of preference and what works better for you through trial and error.
I wish the Viva towel or the foam roller method worked with Italian meringue buttercream but unfortunately it doesn't, because the icing doesn't crust. But I can't like the taste or texture of powdered sugar/Crisco based buttercream, to me it is too greasy in your mouth and the powdered sugar leaves a gritty feel. Italian meringue goes on so smoothly and is very easy to get a near perfect finish with a flexible bladed icing spatula, warmed, and a wallpaper scraper for the sides to finish it.
I agree with doitallmom. It all is a matter of preference and works best for you. Just because the foam roller works for a lot of people, doesn't mean it will work for you. Just keep trying all the different methods until you find the one that works for you. Good luck.
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