I have used an inner tube and some electrical tape. Cut a mountain bike inner tube in to two pieces and then slice each piece down the middle. Now wrap one piece around each spring and then hold in place with some elctrical tape. If any nicks form just tape them over and you are all nicely protected.
I did the same kind of thing, but I took the spring and foot off the bottom, then used a bike inner tube, and some washing up liquid, and slid the inner tube over the spring, and I found that I have not nicked the bike inner tube yet, even after a fall!!