Hi, I'm fairly new to this forum and have been enjoying many great, informative posts here. I've been into cake decorating as a hobby for about two years. I really enjoy working with gumpaste and fondant.
I was looking for a way to protect some of my projects and ordered the Lacquer Spray from GSA. Have any of you used this product? Did you get good results? I need to ship a sugar art gift to a friend and want to take any measures that I can to have it arrive in the best condition possible. Any information about products and packing techniques would be most appreciated. 
Happy Thursday!
Kayte
I'm not sure if there is much interest in this product here- but now that I've used the spray, I will share my review of it. If used as directed, you get a nice sheen on your gumpaste/fondant. Trying to spray thin coats does yield better results. I sprayed a tricky area too thickly and it resulted in visible drips and a wetter looking finish. One piece had some black magic marker writing on it that "purpled" slightly after spraying- but the marker did not run. Definitely test a patch to see how it would affect the color method you've used. Time will tell if the laquer will help retain color and protect my figures from deteriorating. I'll repost after a few months to let you know. HTH anyone who might be curious.
Kayte
I've never heard of that product before. Thanks for sharing your review. Will the fondant still be edible after you use the lacquer?
Letsgetcaking- I'll be happy to share what information I have on this product. It's made by Confectionary Arts International and the can reads as follows: for use on Marzipan, Sugar, Chocolate, Nougatine and Pralines
Provides shine and protection from humidity, extends the shelf life, lacquer spray neutral in smell and taste, increases the gloss and shine of chocolate showpieces and sugar decorations, protects sugar arts against humidity exposure. I haven't used it on something that will be eaten yet but it is made for use on food. They also have another product for chocolate- I think it's called Chocolate Freeze. Here's a link to CAI-
www.confectioneryarts.com
I like this product, so far, and will share more results in the future.
Take care,
Kayte
Lacquer spray is the same thing as confectionary glaze but in an aerosal form. You have to make sure that you spray atleast six inches away from the project or you will get running of the project. It will also give a slight yellowish tint to it. It is basically to give some sheen to items and will set any kind of powdered color. It will NOT give your project any type of protection as far as making it more stable for shipping. You also will get a coating on it that for some items, you might not want to eat even though it says edible. Also, it is a B* to get off utensils and things. You can use Windex or acetone based nail polish remover and soak items in it, especially brushes. Ive used it for my car windshields and things and it does look pretty cool when its done. But you can also get the confectionary glaze and dip items and its a heck of a lot cheaper!
Weirkd- I didn't know about confectioner's glaze. Can it be used in an airbrush? The lacquer is pricey! Thanks for the info. As far as shipping- I'm going to use packing supplies and add a food grade desiccant packet to the plastic bag that I pack the item in. Then I'm packing the first box into a larger box lined with styro. I hope that double boxing will help cushion it enough. Any suggestions are appreciated.
Kayte
Cant use the conf. glaze in an airbrush. It will gum it up. But if the items are big, you can pour the glaze over the item and the let it dry. Its $7 verses the high cost of the spray. But ofcourse if you need it to be a mist, then you can use a plastic bottle with a pump that you can buy at a dollar store or Walmart. Just make sure to rinse the nozzle with Windex afterwards to prevent it from being sticky. Works great for your hands as well!!
Shipping. Well Ive shipped whole cakes with flowers on them and had no problem. (UPS ND Air). But recently I sent gumpaste flowers to Illinois, packed them in separate boxes, covered them with bubble wrap and wrapped batting around the petals and had horrible results. I sent them Priority Mail. I had fragile, etc written on them as well. So I suggest maybe going to a UPS store and having them package it and get it insured just in case!
Thanks for the great suggestions. I usually do use UPS- they're good about special attention shipping. I just would hate to disappoint my friend- not that she'd be unkind about it. There are some things that we don't have control over. We make the effort and hope for the best.
Thanks.
Kayte
Confectioner's Glaze:
Confectioner's glaze is food grade shellac and its solvent is alcohol. If you can get grain alcohol (i.e. Everclear), you can dilute the conf. glaze to any strength. I haven't used it in an airbrush but if you dilute it enough there is no reason why it wouldn't work.
If you are dipping or pouring it, several thin coats work very well. (BTW: full strength alcohol won't dissolve sugar.)
Dried confectioner's glaze is hard to clean up but soaking it with alcohol will soften it. Try that instead of Windex (which also has some alcohol in it). Even with a cleaner, it can take a good bit of scrubbing to get up the worst of it. Best to catch it when it is still wet.
For packing for shipping:
Automated package routing can drop a package 6' from one conveyer to another. Try packing gumpaste flowers and petals with tissues around and between them and in a box or bag filled with packing peanuts. Dry popped popcorn makes a good non-toxic packing material.
Cheers!
Hi Caketec,
Thanks for the info! I'll have to experiment with the grain alcohol dilution.
I'm shipping a plaque type design- so I don't have fragile petals to worry about, (this time) It's good to know how someone with experience does it. I've got some shipping peanuts and bubble wrap and hope that double boxing can absorb some of the bumps. Do you wrap the pieces in plastic bags? I plan on bagging the item and placing a food safe desiccant packet in with it.
Thanks,
Kayte
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