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

Looks good, Rich! "Flash" is the word for that excess metal that flows out at the parting line between the two halves of the mold. Sometimes the foundry does an imperfect job of removing it. (And some times they go too far in removing it!) Also, sometimes you see where the mold halves were misaligned, which is a more serious defect.

I almost always paint cast iron flywheels (hub, spokes, inside rim) with a small brush. Cast surfaces don't show brush marks like smooth surfaces. If you use a good oil-based enamel, it flows out nicely as it dries. After the paint dries a bit, I'll come back with a paper towel moistened with a little thinner, and wipe any excess paint from the sides of the hub and rim. This painting method doesn't work as well on diecast wheels, as the surface is smooth. Spraying works better for those.

Paula