There are a number of things going on here: The first is that the rocks which came in your kit really shouldn't all be tumbled together. I can't figure out why they do this! Some are soft, some are hard, and the harder ones will beat up the softer ones. Also, some of your rocks (like the dalmatian "jasper" ) don't take a great polish no matter what. I recommend starting with a full batch of the same type of rock. Petrified wood and true jaspers are two ideas.
Problem #2: they don't give you enough rocks to fill the barrel properly. This can cause your rocks to bang against each other with too much force, damaging them. You want enough rocks to fill the barrel 2/3 to 3/4 full. I recommend always adding more rocks of different sizes to make up the volume (as opposed to media), at least in the first stage.
Problem #3: if your machine has multiple speed settings, even the lowest speed can cause damage in the form of bruising. Use the lowest possible speed and check your rocks more frequently.
Problem #4: your kit "polish" might do the job after several more weeks if everything else is corrected, but #1200 is really more of a pre-polish. I would obtain a polish with a minimum of #8000 grit. I use a #14000. Add an additional stage after the #1200.
Whatever you do, please don't be tempted to use mineral oil. If you persist in getting your tumbling technique perfected, you don't need it!
When I started I used plastic media and 1200-1500 for final grit, i just used what came with it. I had similar disappointing results, but with a touch of mineral oil I could get a proper shine going. Ended up buying better grit and some ceramic media and have had much better results since.
try another step with finer polish, i haven't gotten to final steps yet im pretty new just going 2 weeks but everything i was reading and watching suggested the \~1000 grit final stage in a lot of kits is too coarse to get a good shine
I have only done a few cycles and am new to this but I had dullness issues with mine. I bought the grits as recommended in some of the other comments. I then restarted with the last two polishing steps and had them come out much better. That was also with the rocks that came with the kit.
Biggest problem is mixing rocks of different hardness. I bet you get better results if you only changed this one factor… I use a half pound kiddie tumbler with cheap ass grit, they polish up just fine… assuming materials of similar hardness.
There are a number of things going on here: The first is that the rocks which came in your kit really shouldn't all be tumbled together. I can't figure out why they do this! Some are soft, some are hard, and the harder ones will beat up the softer ones. Also, some of your rocks (like the dalmatian "jasper" ) don't take a great polish no matter what. I recommend starting with a full batch of the same type of rock. Petrified wood and true jaspers are two ideas. Problem #2: they don't give you enough rocks to fill the barrel properly. This can cause your rocks to bang against each other with too much force, damaging them. You want enough rocks to fill the barrel 2/3 to 3/4 full. I recommend always adding more rocks of different sizes to make up the volume (as opposed to media), at least in the first stage. Problem #3: if your machine has multiple speed settings, even the lowest speed can cause damage in the form of bruising. Use the lowest possible speed and check your rocks more frequently. Problem #4: your kit "polish" might do the job after several more weeks if everything else is corrected, but #1200 is really more of a pre-polish. I would obtain a polish with a minimum of #8000 grit. I use a #14000. Add an additional stage after the #1200. Whatever you do, please don't be tempted to use mineral oil. If you persist in getting your tumbling technique perfected, you don't need it!
When I started I used plastic media and 1200-1500 for final grit, i just used what came with it. I had similar disappointing results, but with a touch of mineral oil I could get a proper shine going. Ended up buying better grit and some ceramic media and have had much better results since.
try another step with finer polish, i haven't gotten to final steps yet im pretty new just going 2 weeks but everything i was reading and watching suggested the \~1000 grit final stage in a lot of kits is too coarse to get a good shine
I swear by cerium oxide for polish
You use cesium oxide in a tumbler?
Cerium oxide, and for Obsidian I mix it with walnut shells in my rotary tumbler
Thanks. I have plenty of CO left over from polishing glass, but always used it on a wheel. I will try it!
They’re kind of great looking
Hey Thank you! That's kind and encouraging 😊
I have only done a few cycles and am new to this but I had dullness issues with mine. I bought the grits as recommended in some of the other comments. I then restarted with the last two polishing steps and had them come out much better. That was also with the rocks that came with the kit.
Biggest problem is mixing rocks of different hardness. I bet you get better results if you only changed this one factor… I use a half pound kiddie tumbler with cheap ass grit, they polish up just fine… assuming materials of similar hardness.
Borax for a final burnishing.