Here's one for all you brainiacs!
I have got a rather large cake decoration to frame. Shaped in the form of a rugby player, (slightly smaller than Action Man, but not much), bedecked in this chaps team colours, along with a ball, and a large Happy 18th Birthday. (By the way this thing is edible, but not cake)
When I first got this piece in it wasnt in 3 pieces as it should have been, it was like an explosion has occured inside the box. My sister in law, who just happens to be the manageress of the bakery that made the object in question, took it back to their cake decoration specialist, and it was deemed that a new one would have to be made. OK, that was fine, I would add the cost on, as the client was informed and OK'd this. I got this back on Saturday past, and again, as it is made in sections, 2 pieces have already fallen off. It obviously cannot be trusted to hold together itself, so adhesive from outside of of the catering industry will have to be employed.
Persoanlly I had thought of a little silicone, as it 'normally' does damage the icing, but this time I wanted to try something else and someone suggested Araldite. having heard of it, but never having used it, does anyone know of its destructive capabilites towards icing? I had even thought of hot glue, but that may melt it and I am no sculptor.
Someone out there is bound to know.
Steven
Does Araldite Destroy??
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SquareFrames
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markw
araldite
Araldite shouldnt affect the icing - its a two part epoxy adhesive - always remember you can use the best adhesive in the world - but its only as good as the surface its stuck to - icing is not a stable surface - if possible you need to provide additional support for the glue - can you insert something into the icing - a cocktail stick for example. my first preference would be silicone - the slight flexibility allows for small shocks -when hard glues will often fail - add the hidden support and you should have a good join - the icing will only be affected by moisture - its high sugar content should stop it rotting - but take care that it has no other element as it will rot.
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SquareFrames
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Araldite!!!
MarkW
Many thanks for your reply, there are already many additional fastenings holding the piece together, like cocktail sticks. Its a multiple part figure, and actually would have been better its it had of been one piece instead of looking like summut out of 'Young Frankenstein', mind you after looking at it for long enough it looks a bit like Marty Feldman.
I will try and insert (if thats the right word) more cocktail sticks and make it more stable, and maybe a slight sanding to make the ends a little rougher for a key
I have been informed by certain parties (wife, sister in law, her boss at the bakery and the person who made it) that this has to be photographed at every stage, so they can see the outcome, whats the betting I forget or really smash it up?
Again many thanks for your info, very much appreciated.
Steven
Many thanks for your reply, there are already many additional fastenings holding the piece together, like cocktail sticks. Its a multiple part figure, and actually would have been better its it had of been one piece instead of looking like summut out of 'Young Frankenstein', mind you after looking at it for long enough it looks a bit like Marty Feldman.
I will try and insert (if thats the right word) more cocktail sticks and make it more stable, and maybe a slight sanding to make the ends a little rougher for a key
I have been informed by certain parties (wife, sister in law, her boss at the bakery and the person who made it) that this has to be photographed at every stage, so they can see the outcome, whats the betting I forget or really smash it up?
Again many thanks for your info, very much appreciated.
Steven
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Dermot
Hi Steven
I have never attempted what you are trying and hopefully I will never need to……fair play to you.
I have being reading about using “Myler” (very clear plastic) strips for mounting objects such as you have…..this method has its merits…this material is like the “See-Thru” mounting corners listed on page 67 of the Lion No. 40 catalogue.
Anyway the best of luck with your project you are a braver man then me….but a very interesting challenge never the less.
PS
Jim Miller who post on the US Grumble has posted extensively about using “Myler”
I have never attempted what you are trying and hopefully I will never need to……fair play to you.
I have being reading about using “Myler” (very clear plastic) strips for mounting objects such as you have…..this method has its merits…this material is like the “See-Thru” mounting corners listed on page 67 of the Lion No. 40 catalogue.
Anyway the best of luck with your project you are a braver man then me….but a very interesting challenge never the less.
PS
Jim Miller who post on the US Grumble has posted extensively about using “Myler”
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SquareFrames
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Araldite!
Dermot,
Many thanks, for your help, I will let you know how the strips pan out.
Steven
Many thanks, for your help, I will let you know how the strips pan out.
Steven
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Merlin
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Hi Steven
At the risk of annoying John. Try posting this on The Grumble. I am sure PRESERVATOR will reply.. He is the fountain of all knowledge.
Silicone.. mmm does that not give off gas as it is curing.. an acetone type of gas. Would that react with the icing or ingredients.
Just thoughts.
Interesting to hear what the outcome is though and photos - Does this site manage photos at all...
At the risk of annoying John. Try posting this on The Grumble. I am sure PRESERVATOR will reply.. He is the fountain of all knowledge.
Silicone.. mmm does that not give off gas as it is curing.. an acetone type of gas. Would that react with the icing or ingredients.
Just thoughts.
Interesting to hear what the outcome is though and photos - Does this site manage photos at all...
John GCF
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John
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It seems like half of us are called John on this forum, but this one would not be offended. In fact, I do the odd bit of posting on the US Grumble myself from time to time, you are always sure of a helpful response to just about any query.
I also do not envy you this job Stephen. Given its history so far I would guess that, no mater what you do, the piece itself will have a very short life.
Could the confectioner make a replacement with plaster instead of sugar?
Yes we can display photographs, see example below.
Just highlight the URL and click the IMG button when posting your message.
I also do not envy you this job Stephen. Given its history so far I would guess that, no mater what you do, the piece itself will have a very short life.
Could the confectioner make a replacement with plaster instead of sugar?
Yes we can display photographs, see example below.
Just highlight the URL and click the IMG button when posting your message.
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SquareFrames
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Araldite
HI All,
I done a similar prject for this same client about 10 years ago, again a decoration of the top of a 40th birthday cake, although that time it was a lot thinner and easier to handle. It was in 3 pieces, (1) a woman dressed in a red bikini, (2) a book and (3) a cocktail drink. I managed to get some very soft sand (stole it from a beach, but shhhhhh dont tell anyone) and decorate the backing board like a beach and set the pieces as if she was lying drinking her cocktaill and reading her book. She loved the outcome, but 6 months later she brought it back to me, and of course thinking the worse she put it onto my bench, and all that had happened was the glass had been broken. She had left it in her car behind the drivers seat for 6 months and her hubby decided to mover her car and pushed the seat back, he had no clue it was even there.
What I am trying to say is, the silicone works OK and lasts quite along time, for how long, well its been 10 years so far and counting. For that job I used black silicone, for some reason far less smelly and therefore I thought far less toxic, seems to work.
The Araldite idea was suggested to me, for joining the broken oieces of this job, and ot be honest, I connected all yesterday morning after reading some of the postings, and its still together this morning, even stronger than yesterday, so I am very grateful to you all. The suggestion for a plaster type decoration is already with my sister in laws boss, especially if he could do the job just as cheap for their clients. I await that answer, because I would think the customer would not mind at all if it was done with plaster.
I am taking photos as we go along, so hopefully I will be able to post them soon.
Again many thanks for everyones help and assistance.
PS
TRY black silicone
Steven
I done a similar prject for this same client about 10 years ago, again a decoration of the top of a 40th birthday cake, although that time it was a lot thinner and easier to handle. It was in 3 pieces, (1) a woman dressed in a red bikini, (2) a book and (3) a cocktail drink. I managed to get some very soft sand (stole it from a beach, but shhhhhh dont tell anyone) and decorate the backing board like a beach and set the pieces as if she was lying drinking her cocktaill and reading her book. She loved the outcome, but 6 months later she brought it back to me, and of course thinking the worse she put it onto my bench, and all that had happened was the glass had been broken. She had left it in her car behind the drivers seat for 6 months and her hubby decided to mover her car and pushed the seat back, he had no clue it was even there.
What I am trying to say is, the silicone works OK and lasts quite along time, for how long, well its been 10 years so far and counting. For that job I used black silicone, for some reason far less smelly and therefore I thought far less toxic, seems to work.
The Araldite idea was suggested to me, for joining the broken oieces of this job, and ot be honest, I connected all yesterday morning after reading some of the postings, and its still together this morning, even stronger than yesterday, so I am very grateful to you all. The suggestion for a plaster type decoration is already with my sister in laws boss, especially if he could do the job just as cheap for their clients. I await that answer, because I would think the customer would not mind at all if it was done with plaster.
I am taking photos as we go along, so hopefully I will be able to post them soon.
Again many thanks for everyones help and assistance.
PS
TRY black silicone
Steven
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Framerguy
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Steven,
You are indeed a brave soul to tackle mounting an object of such a fragile and temporary nature!!
I am not familiar with the cake decorations that you describe in your post. Is it a solid cast decoration out of sugar or is it something that is soft to begin with (such as icing) and you dried it out to make it firmer??
I cannot feature a suitable mount for what I have pictured in my mind but I don't know what this piece is composed of. I have been framing for 16 years and I thank the Lord that I have not had the opportunity to mount such a cake decoration!
My only thought is that the baker, should he decide to cast another out of plaster, doesn't get them mixed up. That would be a real eye opener to the party that tries to eat that cake!!
Good luck and keep us posted on what you did. I would like to see some photos of the finished framing.
Framerguy
You are indeed a brave soul to tackle mounting an object of such a fragile and temporary nature!!
I am not familiar with the cake decorations that you describe in your post. Is it a solid cast decoration out of sugar or is it something that is soft to begin with (such as icing) and you dried it out to make it firmer??
I cannot feature a suitable mount for what I have pictured in my mind but I don't know what this piece is composed of. I have been framing for 16 years and I thank the Lord that I have not had the opportunity to mount such a cake decoration!
My only thought is that the baker, should he decide to cast another out of plaster, doesn't get them mixed up. That would be a real eye opener to the party that tries to eat that cake!!
Good luck and keep us posted on what you did. I would like to see some photos of the finished framing.
Framerguy
If I don't have to feed it or take it for a walk, I can frame it!
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SquareFrames
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Araldite
Framerguy!
This is a solid piece of sugar icing, and the body itself is quite firm and reasonably stable.
The problems arose when one of the arms broke (3 bloody times, twice on me) and I had to perform a medical first, setting it back together and getting it to sit as it was originally, the main problem being that this arm / hand held the rugby ball and was not resting on a solid surface, it was in mid air, therefore no support. I belive that in its prpoper position (on top of a cake) there would have been plenty of support.
The Araldite epoxy was so strong it actually broke in 2 different places that the original break, so we know it works, and thankfully dries clear. The other arm was actually resting on the wrist and hand, and the wrist broke off, this was the easy one to fix. In actual fact the whole structure is now far more stable and stronger than it originally was, and is now ready for placing inside the box frame I have fashioned. (Photos have been taken)
I have been talking to the baker and have been reliably informed that this object will last for as long as the entire finished frame is looked after, the only problem being the harsh treatment it could receive in the years to come, the actual sugar object will last my lifetime and hopefully the clients. I staple little bags of Silica Gel inside to prevent it from totally drying out (you get them in new briefcases / handbags) or from a good quality chemist. How and ever, I must away and get this finished, the client is now on tenderhooks, hoping to get it into her home ASAP, as I am!
Steven
This is a solid piece of sugar icing, and the body itself is quite firm and reasonably stable.
The problems arose when one of the arms broke (3 bloody times, twice on me) and I had to perform a medical first, setting it back together and getting it to sit as it was originally, the main problem being that this arm / hand held the rugby ball and was not resting on a solid surface, it was in mid air, therefore no support. I belive that in its prpoper position (on top of a cake) there would have been plenty of support.
The Araldite epoxy was so strong it actually broke in 2 different places that the original break, so we know it works, and thankfully dries clear. The other arm was actually resting on the wrist and hand, and the wrist broke off, this was the easy one to fix. In actual fact the whole structure is now far more stable and stronger than it originally was, and is now ready for placing inside the box frame I have fashioned. (Photos have been taken)
I have been talking to the baker and have been reliably informed that this object will last for as long as the entire finished frame is looked after, the only problem being the harsh treatment it could receive in the years to come, the actual sugar object will last my lifetime and hopefully the clients. I staple little bags of Silica Gel inside to prevent it from totally drying out (you get them in new briefcases / handbags) or from a good quality chemist. How and ever, I must away and get this finished, the client is now on tenderhooks, hoping to get it into her home ASAP, as I am!
Steven
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Guest
The Araldite Situation..An Update
Well folks, here are 2 images of the finished object, hope you like?
If anyone would like to know how it was completed, just ask, its actually quite simple.
So here goes, I hope the images are clear?
If anyone would like to know how it was completed, just ask, its actually quite simple.
So here goes, I hope the images are clear?
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Guest
Posting pictures
Sorry John. a bit dim here.. can you explain posting pictures please..
you say click on URL.. do I have to have the pictures stores somewhere else then,
you say click on URL.. do I have to have the pictures stores somewhere else then,
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John
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It's actually a lot easier than it sounds - it's just the the way I explain it 
You must start with your image somewhere on the net at a known address, say http://www.mysite/myimages/mypic.jpg
What I was trying to say is that you type in the address of your image when you are posting.
eg.(before)
http://www.mysite/myimages/mypic.jpg
If you then highlight the line above then click on the Img button, the necessary tags will be automatically placed at the beginning and end.
eg.(after)
{img}http://www.mysite/myimages/mypic.jpg{/img}
I have used curley brackets in this example so that it will not be interpreted as an actual image, but when doing this for real, square brackets will be used.
Note: Don't click on these links they are just for example, and do not actually exist as a real address
You must start with your image somewhere on the net at a known address, say http://www.mysite/myimages/mypic.jpg
What I was trying to say is that you type in the address of your image when you are posting.
eg.(before)
http://www.mysite/myimages/mypic.jpg
If you then highlight the line above then click on the Img button, the necessary tags will be automatically placed at the beginning and end.
eg.(after)
{img}http://www.mysite/myimages/mypic.jpg{/img}
I have used curley brackets in this example so that it will not be interpreted as an actual image, but when doing this for real, square brackets will be used.
Note: Don't click on these links they are just for example, and do not actually exist as a real address
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