In my reading and planning about the 6-8 dummies I want to do for a big expo coming up in January, I stumbled across PermaIce (permanent nonedible icing but SO expensive), and also the idea and encouragement that joint compound can be used in place of icing, sanded to look perfect, and is totally cheap to use.

Anyone have any ideas about these options for dummies? If I do fondant, I'll try MMF because of cost.

What do you guys recommend?

Sorry - can't help - hope someone else can! I know it has been talked about before....

I tried joint compound. IT SUCKS WHEN USED WITH CERAN WRAP. It was pulling and tugging everywhere. I'm going to try it again when my cakes slow down, but without the wrap.
I've used RI as well. Didnt like it for simular reasons. Plus, it began to yellow after a few months.
Personally, I was thinking maybe Plaster of Paris?

Maybe I am the only one here who didnt know this, but I just found out that Lowes can tint joint compound.

I don't know who mentioned it, but lightweight Spackle is WONDERFUL!!!! I've used it on a couple dummies already and it's been easier compared to other compounds to use. Granted, you still need a wooden dowel to hold the cake down while you're working on the base, but it doesn't tend to crack as much as joint compound does.. It's also easier to blend if you have to touch up spots after you're done sanding... The other thing is, no matter what it needs to be watered down so it spreads easier. As for a trick I learned with smoothing the top layer, just water it down a little more, and pour it on... and it'll have a smoother appearance.

Of course, now to find the time to ice a bunch more dummies..

I do all my dummies in Royal, and just thin is down some. If you want to protect them from yellowing just put them in a bag, when you are not using them. They yellow alot from being in sunlight. I have some that I iced and they are old, but they have not yellowed. I agree the PermaIce is very expensive.