I bought some Americolor gels at the ICES convention in Las Vegas...yeah, been awhile. Anyway, some of my lesser used colors have broken down into a liquid. Since I saw that there is now a resident expert on here I thought I would ask to see if this is normal. I am a super big fan of this product but was saddened to see that it broke down on me before I could use it up. I mean geez....I even bought the little bottles!

Thanks so much!!!
Heidi

Would it help to shake it and mix it up again??? I've not had mine breakdown and liquefy. You might want to PM the Colorboy (rep for Americolor) - from what I understand he is not on here all the time and only has access to some areas.

..I have PM Colorboy with a link to this post!

over years the gel will break down, but the color is not effected unless it has been exposed to excessive light. We guareentee the product for a period of one year from the date of purchase, however it should remain good for several years. You can tell the date the product was mfg. by the lot# on the bottle for example 2445A / (244)5A using the Juliean calander this would be the 244th day of the year / 244(5)A the year 2005 and 2445(A) the first batch of the day on 9/1/05. this guareentee is one year from the date that the distributor receives the product regardless of the lot#, some of our oddcolors may be a year or two old, but the gel and color are fine. Check the date on the bottle and let me know

To be honest, I've only had mine about 2 months. I store them in my kitchen away from heat and cold. They are in one of those multi-drawer tool boxes and are pretty much away from light unless I have them out to use. I don't know if that will help you.

The best way to store our colors when you are not using them is to keep them in the cupboard or in a drawer. Generally heat and cold will not affect the product as they are formulated for cooking as well as decorating. We ship product to Israel in the summer and all over the world in sweltering containers with no adverse effect. Again what is the Lot# on the bottle this will tell you when it was made

My Navy Blue I believe was the worst of them all....Lot #2872B
Forest Green #2952C
Chocolate Brown (I think) #3442B

Those are the only ones that I could tell for sure (without using them) had gotten watery. There may be others and ifrom shaking them, it sounds like some more are on their way. Guess I need to start making some really dark colors! LOL. Hmmmm....maybe I need a chart of the different colors I can mix to get more use out of them (Hint, hint?!? ).

I do have to say that I am a HUGE fan even with this slight falter. They do still hold their color, but it seems that it takes more of it to get the color that you need to achieve. Unfortunately, with the already liquid state, that means I have to use something else on hand until I order more. Guess now is the time!

Thanks so much ColorBoy for all your help!! It is so nice to have you on here to consult with. I've wondered how I was going to be able to ask anyone and poof...here you are. I'd love to hear what your further thoughts are.

Thanks bunches!!!
Heidi

Based on the lot# your AmeriColor product was made in 2002. For best results use it within one year We will do our best to help... did you know AmeriColor is available in 41 colors and has a matching AmeriMist airbrush for each color? When mixing colors you need to take into account all the colors that make up the colors you are trying to mix. for example Royal blue is made from blue and red. you have to account for both when mixing.
About mixing:
Always mix colored icing to colored icing except when adding Bright White. Use Bright White directly from the bottle. Example: When Blending PeriWinkle, mix the amount of icing that you are going to need with sky blue. This is your base color. Mix a small amout of violet icing. This is your complimentary color. mix violet icing into sky blue until the desired shade of Periwinkle is achieved.. The Gel will break down after time but color should not be effected. You should not have to use more the color did not go anywhere unless it was exposed to excessive light.

SATIN SHEEN: To add a satin sheen to your color, mix the color and then add bright white directly from the bottle.
Example: Mix Violet Soft Gel Paste into icing mix in bright white Soft Gel Paste. The icing will attain a satin sheen

Always mix your colors at least an hour in advance because they deepen with time. Colors will vary depending what type of icing or whipped toping you use. These blends were developed using a standard buttercream icing. It is suggested that you practice with a small amount of icing before using a whole batch. These blends were created specifically for AmeriColor Soft Gel Paste
* BASE COLOR / # COMPLIMENTARY COLOR

Khaki:
*Ivory
#Violet

Moss Green
*Leaf Green
#Orange

Jade
*Forest Green
#Leaf Green

Tan
*Ivory
#Warm Brown

Taupe
*Warm Brown
#Teal

Cranberry
*Maroon
#Super Red

Golden Brown
*Egg Yellow
#Chocolate Brown

Juniper Green
*Forest Green
#Orange

Apricot
*Orange
#Peach

Plum
*Burgundy
#Royal Blue

Wedgewood Blue
*Royal Blue
#Orange

Gray
*Super Black (Light gray shade)
#Bright White

Sea Foam Green
*Forest Green
#Ivory

Slate Blue
*Royal Blue
#Super Black (Med. stage gray)

Lavender
*Deep Pink
#Violet

Olive Green:
*Mint Green
#Orange
#Violet

Silver
*Super Black (light gray stage)
#Navy Blue
#Bright White

Grape
*Violet
#Super Red

Raspberry
Deep Pink
#Super Red

Okay, how cool is this! We have an expert here for AmeriColor!

Okay, here's a question for you ColorBoy (kind of funny saying that) anyway. Does AmeriColor make a color wheel? I'd love to have one if they do!


Thanks,


Amy

Wow, Colorboy! I think you just made your membership official!!! This is a big help! Thanks!

Glad we can help . I feel that I can learn just as much from all of you

No we do not have a color wheel, because of all the different colors that make up food color they dont always mix like paint.

For those who do chocolate and compound molding, Just wait until you try our candy color! our Formulation is unique to the industry...it will not spot or flake and with the addition of "Flo-Coat" (Exclusive to AmeriColor) you can use any one of the 41 Soft Gel Paste colors. Now the color posiblities are endless

Yea I guess Color boy sound a little funny,, Color man would probably be more accurate. but when I Decorate I always feel like a little boy playing in the mud It'sreall a family thing for me. I always leave extra batter and icing in the bowl for my kids to lick clean.

I did a school project with my 9 year old son. We made one the California Missions (Right of passage for all California School Chldren) we used sugar cubes and royal icing for morter and adobe. We dipped the edges of folded and crunched up coffee filters in Soft Gel Paste to make flowers and plants. We finished the project by drawing plants, ivy, grass and flowers with AmeriColor Gourmet Writers. I didnt think to take a picture before sending it to his school. It was half eaten when it came home

GEL PASTE,
PLEASE CAN ANY ONE TELL ME IF THE WHITE GEL PASTE WILL MAKE ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM WHITE?
IT'S JUST THAT MY DAUGHTER IS GETTING MARRIED NEXT SUMMER AND WOULD LIKE A WHITE CAKE!
SHE AS SEEN A RUFFLE CAKE MADE WITH ITALIAN MERINGUE BUT WHEN MADE IT IS CREAM COLOUR BECAUSE OF THE BUTTER.
I LIKE THE TASTE OF THIS THEN FROSTING.
HOPE IV MADE SENCE WITH THIS QUESTION.

HI,
THANK YOU I HAVE ORDERED AMERICOLOR WHITE SO I'LL TRY THAT AND IF THAT FAILS I WILL TRY THE WILTON.

Use Americolor Bright White Soft Gel Paste, like our other colors you will find that our product is superior in color strength than any other brand on the market. oh yes congradulations to your daughter ;- ) best wishes for a long and happy union.
AMERICOLOR
Jim

HI,
THANK YOU I'LL LET YOU KNOW HOW I GO ON?
AND THANK YOU FOR YOUE BEST WISHES FOR MY DAUGHTER.

When my lesser used colors have separated, I've had good results putting the bottle in the microwave for a few seconds on low power. This loosens the thick stuff so it mixes better when shaken. Other times, it's just too old, so it needs replacing.

this just happened to me for the first time today! But the color is probably pretty old, and I figured that was the reason.

@ColorBoy - truly wish Americolor would market a drawer organizer for the smaller bottles. I have as many bottles as you stock.  however I do store mine in the plastic drawers from Storage Solutions.  The portable wheeled carriers make it very handy to wheel around.  My only issue is I have a hard time keeping the colors organized and am always digging thru a jumbled pile.

I just had this issue today! I bought 3 different shades of grey; ash, slate & stone in December 2018. I don't know if this going to help me, but i put those 3 in the fridge. All three shades will be used on one cake. I don't have extra money to replace them and I don't know where the invoice is. Will this be ok?