I just got a set of petal shaped cake pans and try to frost my first cake (in this new pan). What a exercise of frustration! Is there a method to the madness or is this just one ot those things that will take a lot of time and practice?!
TIA for any tips you might be able to give me.

The best way to do it is just a glaze...frosting is A LOT of work. You could try fondant too but that just seems like it might tear and take just as much work.

I use the large icer tip to put my BC on, this way I already have the shape of the cake in the buttercream with a nice even layer around the petals. Than I just use a large metal putty knife to do my smoothing on the sides.

HTH

The large icing tip is your friend. It makes it so easy to cover the petal.

I use the large tip also, it really helps. After the BC crusts, take a viva paper towel and a foam roller and smooth around, it works great.