Hi,
I would use either confectioners glaze or jam diluted with boiling water (strain to remove any lumps)
The most effective way I have found of painting a cake is to mix dust colour with a clear alcohol such as vodka. You can buy rejuvenator spirit which is basically a special alcohol specifically for this, but I think it tastes absolutely disgusting.
I have made a couple of drums (see my photos). I bought silver glaze food coloring and also gold food coloring from Americolor. I believe it was the airbrushing one. I just painted it right on the fondant .I don't have an airbrush and you don't have to dilute this stuff with anything. I put a couple of coats on and it was fairly shiny.
I've seen on cake shows where they use steam (like a clothes steamer) to make the fondant shiney.
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