I like the red tubing actually, which I usually don't like red colored tubing, but it seems to go great with your build.
I do agree with swapping out the EVGA panel, I don't mind advertising, especially for EVGA, but the lettering just throws off the look.
I use brushed aluminum when I want to cover up bay areas like that, it would go well with your Lian Li as well, since they use the best brushed aluminum for their cases.
You can get aluminum sheet for really cheap from
http://www.diamondlifegear.com/brushedaluminum.htm.
You'll have to brush it yourself with sand paper(which is fairly easy, I do it all the time), but I think it would look very good as your 5.25 bay panel.
As for the kink, keep testing the lengths, but if you want some help, PM Malik, he's the man when it comes to short tube bends.