Concrete, No need to justify your methods to me. I'm all on board with the make it/do it yourself bits and pieces.
Problem is, I just can't be boltin' home-made goodies on my 2006 Civic ... it looks brand new and the quality of items I would be able to make just wouldn't look right. If my car was at least 4-5 years old, OK, maybe.
So, I'm ordering those solid hubcaps this weekend.
As a matter of fact, I'll see your cheapskate move and go one better ... desert trays at the Christmas Tree Shoppes for $1.99. They come with a plastic cover (which I'd toss into a recycling bin) and use the flat, aluminized tray for a wheel cover. They're also lighter than a pizza tray.
No, if I can only find some factory-finished rear wheel skirts ...