Mel-
I'd cover it with silk & dope. I've been using 5mm Habotai silk from Silk Connection:
http://www.silkconnection.com/produc.../silk/habotai/
36" wide, $1.63/yd for 5yds or more. Just like K&S silk, but LOTS cheaper.
Of course, you have to like doping - it takes a bunch.
-Dave