hi tanxalot and welcome to the forum
first question put the L.E.Ds back in and carefully grind them flat with a dremel then just put your slitted covers on works a treat
second question pop down to halfords and grab a can of their acrylic primer aned dust the body with that first,then spray your main colours/camo then finish your decals/weathering and lock it all in with a couple of coats of johnsons Klear