I am making an R2D2 cake and need to get silver coloring for the dome. I guess the best way to do this is to mix silver luster dust with vodka to paint on the fondant, but I have a couple of questions.

How much luster dust to how much vodka?

How should I apply? It is a large area so would a sponge be best?

My co-worker was recommending a different type of liquor, the name of which escapes me, but he said that in Europe they use this because it doesn't leave a taste behind. Does vodka leave a taste?

thanks,

Jennifer

I don't think vodka leaves a taste, and I use it or white rum when I need to paint with my chalks or dusts. But some people here use a rose essence you can buy in large quantities.

I have only used gold, and silver paints for small areas and I use a nail-polish sized bottle with a brush to do that. I would love to hear what others say for using metallics on larger areas.

I use Everclear. You just need a drop or two of the alcohol and then a smidge of powder. Mix it up, it should look beautiful and shiny. If it doesn't look beautiful and shiny (you need to add more of the dust).

I have found that if you want the silver to really stand out, start with gray fondant and then paint the silver over that. =o)

This is good info. I want to make an 18-wheeler cake and put some silver on it. Like the tip of using gray fondant first. Is there something other than alcohol to use? I am clueless about alcohol as well.

Some people use lemon extract. I always use Vodka, it works really well. Use an eye dropper to add the alcohol to your dust. If you a painting a large area, use a larger brush.

What about if I want to paint in a different color? Something not metallic? Would I still use vodka?

Does the Everclear leave a taste?

I use vodka with my dusts also. I tried rum one time when I ran out of vodka, it doesn't work very well. It seems to stay sticky instead of drying out like the vodka. I've never noticed the vodka leaving a taste. You do use the vodka with any of the dusts not just the metallics. What I do is put the dust on a paper plate and then drop the vodka in and mix it around until it looks well blended, but not runny. If it starts to run off, then you added too much vodka and you need to add more of the dust. If it's too thin, it doesn't cover well. Also, it always helps to color the fondant close to the color that you're going to brush on. I use paint brushes of various sizes to paint all the stuff with.

i dilute dusts, paste colours and chalks with vodka when i paint with them

Everclear is 95% alcohol by volume (190 proof). When you open the bottle it smells just like rubbing alcohol. It dries really fast and does not leave a smell or taste. You can get a small bottle at the liquor store at a very reasonable price and it will last you forever!! Be sure and read the label - like all alcohol it is VERY flammable and should be kept away from any type of fire or flame while using it. After it is dry it is no longer flammable. Also because it is alcohol - PLEASE keep away from children.

Just thought of another question as I read the posts. I bought one jar of NuSilver from GSA. Will I be able to cover a 6 in diameter half ball with this amount? If not I will need to order more so it is here by next friday.

I have an air brush that I use the paint ....my question is .......I have read you can use the powder if you dilute it with vodka.....what would the ratio be.........I will have to add quite a bit of liquid to make it thin enough not to clog the needle... right?
I am sure someone out there has done this.....
thanks in advance....

I finally remembered the stuff my co-worker told me about. It is called Spyritus. It sounds like the same kind of thing as Everclear. He told me it is 95% alcohol and won't leave any taste.

Do you mix the everclear or vodka with the paste colors just like you would with the dusts? Thanks!

quote]

She said it perfectly! It's pure grain alcohol, and it doesn't leave an aftertaste because Ii's 95% alcohol (where vodka is 50%). It dries super quick! All the alcohol evaporates. It's 190 proof, it's used for cooking because it has such a high proof. You can't drink it straight...it's actually illegal in some states in the U.S. I know Ohio and West Virginia can't even sell the stuff.

I don't drink alcohol either. We just picked this up because I started doing cakes. It says it all on the back of the bottle. =o)[/quote]

I must beg to differ.....you CAN drink it straight Although it's much better mixed into punch. HAHA

My husband and I made a R2D2 cake several years ago. His photo is in our album.
We mixed the Luster Dust with Lemon Extract.
We have a dropper attached to the extract bottle. Add just enough extract onto the powder in the paint well to give you the color. If it appears too thin, just add a little more powder, or too thick, add more extract. As the extract evaporates, add more. It seems to be a back and forth process.

Be sure to post your photos.
-Debbie B.

I find those little paired contact lens cases are the perfect container for this. I can have two colors going at once. They have airtight covers so I can cover one while I use the other. And when I'm done, I can cover and leave them. If they evaporate over time, I just add more extract.

[/quote]Does it leave a lemon taste?[/quote]

I can smell the lemon as I paint, but the smell disappears over time. The gumpaste leaves I painted 2 days ago don't have any lemon smell today.

I can't remember eating a painted item, so I will ask my husband when he comes in for lunch. If he hasn't tried it I will ask my son-in-law this evening. (I know he has.)

No one has ever mentioned a lemon flavor, but I had assumed it would be faintly there.

-Debbie B.

artscallion -- how resourceful...good thought and tip.

Well, I asked my son-in-law if he tasted lemon on the items that I had painted using lemon extract and luster dust. He said that he didn't taste the lemon. I am actually surprised. I thought there would be a faint hint of lemon.

-Debbie B.

You know, when I'm gluing things onto the cake like the little balls or flat flowers or whatever, I love to use vanilla. I can smell the vanilla up until the day it's eaten. Everytime I walk near it, I think mmm...how delicious!