Date: April 23rd, 1998 04:55:29
From: Julia
e-mail: dbarnes@harborside.com
Subject: How to Whiten Old White Plastic Separators/Columns?
Recently I purchased several used wedding separator and column sets. The lightning was dark in the home where I purchased them, so I didn't notice until I got home that many of the white plastic separators and columns were yellowed. I wasn't sure if they were yellowed from age, or if they were cigarrette stains, because the former cake decorator owner was a chain smoker. Anyways, I soaked the plastic in a solution of bleach, detergent and water overnight, which lightened the stains somewhat, but many of the pieces are still discolored, and wouldn't look that good with a pure white wedding cake.

Question: How can I restore the plastic to its original pure white state? Is some yellowing with age normal for white plastic? By the way, the separators and columns were all made by Wilton, if that makes any difference.

Thanks in advance! I sure hope I can restore the plastic to a whiter state, or the great "deal" I got on this used equipment, won't be that much of a deal afterall! :)

Date: April 23rd, 1998 07:46:47
From: Dolores
e-mail:
Subject: Re: How to Whiten Old White Plastic Separators/Columns?
Your is an age-old question. We all wish we knew how to get pillars and
plates back to white once yellowed. I have tried a lot of things,
nothing of which worked.

Possibly the ones that whitened some were just soiled.
One thing, if you knew what type of paint to use, you might use them for
gold or silver (gold being much more in demand). I bought some painted
gold once long ago. They are lovely....pillars, that is. I tried
painting them and must have used the wrong type of paint because it
wouldn't dry. A good paint store should be able to advise you on this if
you wanted to try it.

Date: April 23rd, 1998 09:18:38
From: Stephanie
e-mail: BCI_MAN@sssnet.com
Subject: Re: How to Whiten Old White Plastic Separators/Columns?
I never tried it but i heard that RED-OUT works
i understand it to be something that people put in water softners
i also heard to use efferdent.
GOOD-LUCK and if something works PLEASE let us know.

Date: April 23rd, 1998 10:44:43
From: Julia
e-mail: dbarnes@harborside.com
Subject: Re: Re: How to Whiten Old White Plastic Separators/Columns?
So, Dolores, how often do plastic parts last before they lose their whiteness? Does one have to periodically buy brand new separators/pillars? That could get expensive! What do most decorators do?

Thanks for all the help. I'm just getting started doing wedding cakes, so I have lots of questions!

Date: April 24th, 1998 05:17:37
From: Shirley W
e-mail: sdwest@ix.netcom.com
Subject: Re: Re: How to Whiten Old White Plastic Separators/Columns?
I work at a plastics company, and we use Krylon brand paint( sold at
Walmart, K-Mart, and other discount stores) to paint and touch up some
of our plastic parts. It dries fast. The pillars and columns are molded
plastic parts that have not been painted, so I don't know if the parts
that you paint can be put in to a cake or directly on the cake, but I
will do a little research on it, and when I find out, I will let you
know.

Shirley W

Date: April 25th, 1998 04:15:37
From: Julia
e-mail: dbarnes@harborside.com
Subject: Re: Re: How to Whiten Old White Plastic Separators/Columns?
Thanks for the advice. I tried the efferdent, and it lightened the plastic some, which was an improvement. However, some of the pieces remained too yellow.

What do you experienced wedding cake decorators do with your old plastic pieces that have yellowed? Do you buy NEW columns and separators every few years? That could get expensive!

Date: April 25th, 1998 10:02:47
From: Dolores
e-mail:
Subject: Yes, buy new...no other choice (NT)

Date: April 25th, 1998 10:09:26
From: Dolores
e-mail:
Subject: Re: Re: Re: How to Whiten Old White Plastic Separators/Columns?
> how often do plastic parts last before they lose their whiteness?
This depends on a lot of factors:
1. How carefully they are washed. Here's one thing that I WOULD use Dawn
detergent for! It 'eats' your hands, it'll eat off grease too. LOL You
can't get them too clean. I found out how hard it is to get it ALL off
when I accidently got food coloring on some pillars in my sink. I really
had to scrub to get it off and it showed me how hard I'd also need to
scrub to get the 'invisible\ grease off too.
2. Keep them out of light or they can yellow. They sure yellow fast in
my display window. Sun is very harsh for this. Even florecent lighting
will yellow them.

>Does one have to periodically buy brand new separators/pillars?
I do - replace. It is a must that your cakes look perfect and clean. OR
- use the yellowed ones for ivory cakes if you can. We make a good
profit for wedding cakes and its just part of the bus....replacing worn
out parts.

Date: April 25th, 1998 09:55:41
From: Mindy
e-mail:
Subject: Re: mistake in previous post
Got the rebate form today and found out that you get 1 attachment free with the purchase of the kitchenaid mixer, not all 3. Sorry for the mistake. Should have waited until I got the form before I posted my message. Mindy

Date: April 26th, 1998 09:09:37
From: Dana
e-mail: bellis@tvec.net
Subject: Selling 3-D bear pan
Found a 3-D bear pan and picked it up for
someone. Has the baking core but no clips.
You can use bulldog clips instead if you don't
have clips from other pans. It wasn't cheap,
cheap, but still a good deal ($6.00) If you
want it for the $6.00 plus shipping, let me
know - bellis@tvec.net

Date: April 27th, 1998 07:24:19
From: Carolyn
e-mail: Bridal1
Subject: Re: How to Whiten Old White Plastic Separators/Columns?
When mine start to yellow, I usually spray paint them ivory for my ivory wedding cakes. This works well. If they are sitting on plates, I don't see where this could harm the cake at all. I have even sprayed some white in a pinch when I needed them badly.

Date: April 28th, 1998 05:12:50
From: Tammy
e-mail: thuls@adams.net
Subject: ISO Magic Line Cake Pans
Hi Everybody! I have an 8" and 10" magic line pan. I was wanting to
know of somewhere I could order more of these. I need to replace some
of my older round pans and would maybe like to try one of their sheet
cakes, too. Does anybody know where I could order more of these? Thank
you!

Tammy

Date: April 28th, 1998 05:14:48
From: Tammy
e-mail: thuls@adams.net
Subject: ISO Cake stores in Hannibal, MO area
Does anybody know of any cake decorating stores in the Hannibal, MO
area? I live about 1hour and half away. Thanks in adavance,

Tammy

Date: April 28th, 1998 07:11:53
From: Debbie
e-mail: dlz1160@dcccd.edu
Subject: Colette Peters Book
Am looking to purchase a book by Colette Peters titled "Colette's
Christmas." Does anyone have this available to sell or know of a
definite source? Please e-mail me with any info. Thanks.

Date: April 28th, 1998 11:13:48
From: Jeff Arnett
e-mail: jsarnett@foothills.net
Subject: I recently bought a Magic Line shhet pan form Dolores [NT]

Date: April 29th, 1998 08:54:33
From: Janie Allaire
e-mail: cakes79
Subject: Re: Colette Peters Book
I have Colette Peters Christmas book,plus her last Wedding Cake book.I also have many years of Mailbox news ,That I'am willing to part with .I also have The Lambeth Method of cake Decoration.It is 1981 version,same as the original page for page Different cover .I am asking $3o.oo each for Collette's books plus s/h. $2.00 a copy for Mailbox News plus s/h.and for T Lambeth Method of cake decorating I would like $2oo.oo plus s/h. Thanks Janie Allaire....

Date: April 29th, 1998 12:33:27
From: Deena
e-mail: calkinsclan@sprint.ca
Subject: Old Wilton Yearbooks
I am looking to purchase any old Wilton Yearbooks. I only have the 1994
and 1998 versions, and they are getting pretty tattered, because either
I or my kids are always leafing through them! Does anyone know where I
can get backorders? Or would anyone have extra copies they'd be
interested in selling me?
Deena

Date: April 29th, 1998 03:41:57
From: Sly
e-mail: skenney@rocketmail.com
Subject: Re: Colette Peters Book
Around the holidays there were tons of "Colette's Christmas" on sale in
our area (DC) for $6.99 each in the "discount book bins" at most of the
large chain book stores. (I bought mine at Borders.) Actually, I've
purchased all 3 of Colette's books from bargain bins. The most I've
paid for one is $10. I'd advise just hunting around for a copy, or
checking some used book stores.

Also, amazon.com will try to find you a copy of it (even though it's out
of print). They are selling her other two books new for ~ $19.95, so
I'd imagine that the Christmas book would be similar to those in price.

Date: April 29th, 1998 04:22:51
From: Mindy
e-mail: cmcintos@nemonet.com
Subject: Re: ISO Cake stores in Hannibal, MO area
Hi Tammy,
Which direction are you from Hannibal? I live in Palmyra. The stores around here that have cake decorating supplies are: Martin's True Value in Hannibal, Walmart in Hannibal, Ben Franklin in Palmyra, Ben Franklin in Quincy, Jo Ann Fabric in Quincy, Merkels in Quincy and Walmart in Quincy. And in Columbia, Michaels Crafts, Hobby Lobby, and Polhans Create a Cake. I don't know about St. Louis. I didn't know that there was anyone from around here that checks this message board. Let me know if there is anything else that I can help you with. Mindy

Date: April 29th, 1998 08:25:36
From: Tammy
e-mail: thuls@adams.net
Subject: Re: ISO Cake stores in Hannibal, MO area
Hi Mindy! I live in Basco, IL. Ever heard of it? (It's one of those
where you blink and you miss it.) It is about 10 miles south of
Carthage IL. I think I've been to all the stores you mentioned except
for the Hardware Store. (Actually, I might have been there when I was a
kid!) My dad lives by Woodland. I went to Palmyra K-6th grade! Small
world, huh! Thanks for your response!!!

Tammy Huls

Date: April 30th, 1998 12:30:23
From: Nannette
e-mail: nghenderson@erols.com
Subject: Re: Old Wilton Yearbooks
Check out eBay, an Internet auction site at
http://pages.ebay.com/aw/search.html

They have old yearbooks on a regular basis. Some of the most recent
ones can usually be had for $6-$8, the older years I've seen go up to
$25. (Plus shipping on all these prices.) On average, they go for
about $15.

They sell a ton of Wilton pans on here as well.

Date: April 30th, 1998 03:17:51
From: Shirley
e-mail: Destinysdc@aol.com
Subject: What is "Stay Icing"?

Date: April 30th, 1998 03:21:00
From: Shirley
e-mail: Destinysdc@aol.com
Subject: What is "Stay Icing"?
In a resent e-mail a friend mentioned that she ordered STAY ICING from
someone who carried Magic Line. I've heard of Magic Line pans, but
that is all. Any information on Magic Line Products? And what is Stay
Icing? E-gads I feel like such a dummy!

Date: April 30th, 1998 11:55:06
From: Dolores
e-mail:
Subject: New one on me NT)

Date: April 30th, 1998 11:57:04
From: Dolores
e-mail:
Subject: Re: Re: Old Wilton Yearbooks
Also try second-hand book stores, flea markets and yard sales.

Date: April 30th, 1998 12:00:07
From: Dolores
e-mail:
Subject: Re: Colette Peters Book
Colette's Christmas book is still available directly from her. She won't
sell it wholesale anymore since she has only a few more copies. You can
email her at: cakescolet@aol.com - email her, She'd love hearing from
you anyway.