We removed all our ceiling panels on the 2004 Marquis and had exactly the same problem with the rope lights. We completed the exact same process as Dave did with the exception that we ran the cherry inserts crossways as was not sure lengthways with the grain would look good.
Now that I have seen Daves I may just do it all over this year. I used lacquer and after 7-8 coats sprayed it is close to original but not as glossy as I wanted, Daves looks better to me now.
See other post about led rope lights that we replaced.
