mvaughan- Sometimes you'll find that you CAN get the PC in there by using different pads. I often use a BIGGER pad and force/deform it into previously inaccessible spots.
When you just MUST do it by hand, I'll often use a different, more aggressive product to start with, to, for example, begin leveling around a tough scratch. Removing scratches from many clearcoats is VERY hard to do by hand! Since you won't be going over the area with a few zillion orbits-per-minute like the PC does, you have to compensate by using more aggressive products and/or application methods (or else take many hours to do each area, and that might not work anyhow). Then proceed to less aggressive products and gentler applications.
I use pieces of foam applicator or MF, often with something like a wooden stick (whittled down old wooden clothespins work great) behind it for extra oomph. In VERY tight areas, I'll use "commercial swabs" like those from Griot's. It can take a LONG time, and MANY swabs, but I can usually get the job done.
Note that it's not always necessary (or possible) to get EVERY obscure area as good as, say, the middle of the car's hood. You just don't want a glaring difference.
