quite awhile since it was the first time with this vehicle if i had to do it again it would go faster but i still would take awhile. I think i used around 55 to 60 LEDS. I used mostly 3mm. Only place i used 5mm is behind the gauges. I got the leds off ebay, and i also ground them all flat. http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Light-of...34Q2ec0Q2em322

 

those LED's look really clean...if i had the patience id do mine too. good job on the handles too

 

i found a chrome tailgate handle on ebay btw, looks and works great. its not a cover either.

 

just an fyi you can go to the cadillac dealership and buy the esky handle already smooth and paint to the color of your truck mine was white bought them and went home and installed them..

 

What did ya use? I mean sandpaper gritwise & paint products? Plastic sucks when ya sand, when the "fuzzies" stand on end.

Looks great so far. Lookin forward to what else u plan to do.

Ya, I wondered to how many hrs were into LEDs?

 

I started with 180 grit then 220 and 400, but if i had to do it again i would probably just buy them cuz its a crap load of sanding. I had so many blisters on my hand when i was done. After the sanding i did the following.
Raddle can Adhesion promoter 2 coats
Raddle can primer 2 to 3 coats followed by some sanding.
Raddle can the color 2 coats.
Finally i used some clear coat with my spray gun cuz its much better then raddle can clear.

Looks great so far. Lookin forward to what else u plan to do.



As for the LED's i would say it took me close to 2 day or so on them but im not sure i did a little at a time when i could.

 

As to painting, I figured somewhere in your list, I'd see adh. promoter. That's how I remember doin it too. Not on my 04 tho. Ya, factory handles are the way to go. Too bad when I was hit on door, dipshit painter felt a need to spray my new painted handle w/o. taking apart. Each time I grab it, I feel dryspray on handle backside. Whenever I paint my truck, now I gotta take the handle apart & do it right. One day. Really pissses me off.

On LEDs, at least I know now; it's a weekend project.