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How do you use luster dust effectively?

post #1 of 42
6/26/06 at 10:30pm
Thread Starter 
I just recently bought some luster dust (after seeing the wedding cake competition on the Food Network). I painted a fondant bow with it, but it clearly looks like I painted it. Is there a trick to using the luster dust? I heard to use vodka so I did, but I was really guessing about the consistency. I don't know. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!
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post #2 of 42
6/26/06 at 10:41pm

well I wish I could help you but I'm having quite a time with luster dust...I have tried to use it 4 times nowand did exactly what was suggeted to me from a post on here....1/4 tsp dust and 1 tsp pure lemon extract or voldka to cover a medium sized cake...tried this last night and followed it to a tee,and ran out really fast and you could barely tell I painted the fondant icon_mad.gif

you've got to have a PASSION to relieve the stress..mine is cake!!!
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you've got to have a PASSION to relieve the stress..mine is cake!!!
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post #3 of 42
6/26/06 at 10:55pm
I add the powder first and then put in a tiny bit of vodka, you want it to be pretty thick, kind of paste like. If it's runny/watery you wont get a nice color. If you look in my pictures, I used this technique to color my hibiscus made of fondant and also the little sandles made of fondant. These things were both completely white until I painted them.
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post #4 of 42
6/27/06 at 6:38am
I'm in the same position as nicksmom and jc. I have tried using it several times and have not gotten the results that I see on most of these cakes. I have mixed it with clear vanilla and regular vanilla and each time it just looks icky. My DH said it was from the dark vanilla but I got the same result from the clear. Considering how expensive this stuff is, I would really like to learn how to properly use it.
TAB
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post #5 of 42
6/27/06 at 6:46am
I have only used it a couple of times, but both times it took several "layers" of it to completely cover what I was using it on. I would do one layer, let it dry, then do another. Is this how everyone else gets things covered or I am doing something the wrong way?
Knowledge is a candle that when shared, doubles the light, but the insecure person believes knowledge is a candle that is diminished when it is split between two wicks.
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Knowledge is a candle that when shared, doubles the light, but the insecure person believes knowledge is a candle that is diminished when it is split between two wicks.
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post #6 of 42
6/27/06 at 6:54am
Using alcohol (vodka, gin or even everclear if you can get your hands on it) seems to work the best. Others use lemon extract, but I have never tried it. It is not to say that vanilla is bad, but I get way better results using vodka. As for mixing, if you make it too pasty, it will get clumpy and be a pain to work with. If you make it too runny, you may have to put on a ton of layers to acheive the look you are looking for. Also using the correct size brush for the area you are painting really helps--you don't want to paint a big bow with a little brush because it will look really streaky. HTH
Missy

"It's the truth. It's actual. Everything is satisfactual. It's a zip a dee doo dah day!"
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Missy

"It's the truth. It's actual. Everything is satisfactual. It's a zip a dee doo dah day!"
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post #7 of 42
6/27/06 at 6:55am
Hi ~ sarahjane is right. It needs to be ''thick'' like paint. If thin, it goes on very streaky. I know it is expensive, but experiment and you will get the correct consistancy. Good luck and have fun!!
Be nice to everyone, because everybody is wrestling with their own personal "giants".
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Be nice to everyone, because everybody is wrestling with their own personal "giants".
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post #8 of 42
6/27/06 at 7:00am
Has anyone ever tried to put some in a very small spray bottle and mist it on? Just wondering if this will work........I've got a wedding cake to do this weekend, and the entire thing has to be painted- Maybe I'll try it and see-
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post #9 of 42
6/27/06 at 7:07am
I either spray it on using my airbrush (mixed with alcohol..It has to be a thin consistency to go through the airbrush) or I brush it on dry.
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post #10 of 42
6/27/06 at 7:09am
I was told you can use it in your airbrush. I've ever done it but I'm told it can be done.


Molly2
Encourage Do Not Discourage
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Encourage Do Not Discourage
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post #11 of 42
6/27/06 at 1:32pm
tamiaz...do you still use the thin consistency to brush on dry?
you've got to have a PASSION to relieve the stress..mine is cake!!!
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you've got to have a PASSION to relieve the stress..mine is cake!!!
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post #12 of 42
6/27/06 at 2:26pm
I was just at my local cake supply store looking at luster dust and the lady told me to mix it with everclear and then brush it on. She said she had the most luck with that. She had also tried vodka, but it did not go on as well. I have not tried it yet. Good luck!
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post #13 of 42
6/27/06 at 2:35pm
I used lustre dust this weekend. I mixed it with vodka. However, I di it a little differently. I dipped my brush into the vodka first, then dipped it into the lustre dust (kinda like how a nailtech does it with the liquid and powder when she does fake nails). It worked perfectly! no streaks - no problems!! I was amazed. And it didn't really use all that much of the lustre dust either. This was my first time using lustre dust by the way.
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post #14 of 42
6/27/06 at 2:38pm
I airbrush mine on mainly. If you air brush it needs to be cleaned out right away or it will clog the air brush.
Cake Makes Everything Better!
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Cake Makes Everything Better!
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post #15 of 42
6/27/06 at 2:51pm
I used this recently to put an edge on some calla lillies. The alcohol dries very quickly. I had to keep adding vodka. I used a syringe to just add a drop at a time.
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