Update:
Well I picked up the egg grate and some krylon fusion plastic paint today. It was still cheaper to buy the white stuff and black paint than it was to buy black egg crate. As an added bonus, I think that the plastic+paint will be a bit stronger than the plastic would have on its own.
Advantages to this approach:
- increased airflow
- modern, professional finish
- cheaper than almost any other material option
-
no tools required but a pair of side cutters!!! 
What do you think?
- Chad