Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

Tightly rolled up brass or stainless fine mesh screen works well too, or most anything else that doesn't burn but can provide capillary wicking action for low viscosity liquids.

The fiberglass wood stove door seal "rope" that you are showing there Jim, is very likely the easiest to source and best priced of the available options, and as you say, it's a lifetime's supply for not much outlay!