Try a local metal merchant - the sort of place that knocks up stuff themselves and have a stack of sheet metal - will be far far cheaper than buying metal from ebay or ones pre-cut. I did toy with the idea of wing protectors as often resting tools, standing on it, etc etc...but then I thought nah it will look lame and do a good job of getting crud stuck under it anyway. And my wings/paint job are worth less than the metal I was going to buy!
Besides, if you are not in a rush to get chips in it, then why are you in a rush to drill holes in it for the rivets to hold the chequer in place?