Yesterday, after maybe 10 years I switched from Multigrade head on Durst M800 to colour head on Durst M605. I must admit that it was pleasurable experience not to have to deal with all that light, even some nice features of MGH were missing. In general MG head is one huge stove in the darkroom producing huge amount of light and heat.
As for replacement, I'm not sure?? I doubt it that it's just ordinary cardboard?? But again, Durst had their mixing chambers made of styrofoam but with weaker bulbs. Meopta color heads too used styrofoam. Just pure white heat resistant paint? One used to paint Space shuttle?
What ever you use PLEASE keep fire extinguisher (proper for dealing with electricity) around you enlarger
PS Keep us posted?