Hi folks, Thanks for all the discussion! Great that we have it all here for future reference.
Yes linishing is a common term here, especially for a light clean up of crank journals. They are not machine cut, but retrued back to a flat surface by linishing. It just removes light wear marks. In reference to removing casting flash, the belt sander Chris described would be used. I couldnt see it being polished off with a mop and compound, and a disc sander wouldn't have enough 'give' and would result in flattened edges on the rounded cover.
Well painting again on the weekend, hope to get some finished pics up there..,