Enero Rock Tumbling Instructions

🪨 Rock Tumbling Made Simple

A Step-by-Step Guide for Glossy, Show-Quality Stones

Rotary and vibratory tumblers welcome! Each Enero kit contains enough grit and polish for multiple 3-lb batches. Don’t use it all at once!

🔧 What You’ll Need

Rock tumbler (3-lb barrel recommended)
Mixed rough stones (agate, jasper, quartz, etc.)
Water
Enero 4-stage grit kit:
- Stage 1: 60/90 coarse
- Stage 2: 120/220 medium
- Stage 3: 500 pre-polish
- Stage 4: 8000 aluminum oxide polish
- Ceramic media (sample included, reusable)
- Measuring spoons
- Colander, toothbrush, mild soap
- A little patience

Total Time: 4–6 weeks (depends on rock hardness and tumbler type)

Stage 1: Shape & Smooth (60/90 Grit) – Rotary Tumblers Only

Do not use coarse grit in vibratory tumblers. Vibratory tumblers are best for smoothing, not shaping.

If you only have a vibratory tumbler, start with Stage 2.
How much grit?

➡️ Use 1 tbsp of 60/90 grit per pound of rock
➡️ For a 3-lb barrel, that’s 3 tbsp (~1.5 oz)

Fill barrel ⅔ to ¾ full with similar-hardness rocks.
Add grit + water until it just covers the rocks.
Seal and tumble:
- Rotary: 7–10 days
Check every few days. If the slurry looks too thick, add a splash of water.

Move on when: sharp edges are gone and rocks have a smooth, matte surface.

💡 Clean-up tip: Rinse rocks and barrel thoroughly. Do not pour slurry down the drain — use a bucket or pour in a garden area.

Stage 2: Refine (120/220 Grit)

How much grit?
➡️ 1 tbsp per pound of rock (same as Stage 1)

Clean everything well (rocks, barrel, lid).
Reload with the same rocks, grit, and water.
Top off with ceramic media if needed to fill the barrel up to ¾ full.
Tumble:
- Rotary: 7 days
- Vibratory: 2–4 days

When done: rocks should be noticeably smoother with fewer scratches.

Stage 3: Pre-Polish (500 Grit)

How much grit?
➡️ Use 1 ⅓ tbsp per pound of rock
➡️ For 3 lbs: 4 tbsp (2 oz)

Wash barrels and rocks very thoroughly to prevent contamination.
Add grit, water, and ceramic media.
Tumble:
- Rotary: 7–14 days
- Vibratory: 2–7 days

✅ Rocks will feel silky and dull-glossy when ready.

✨ Stage 4: Final Polish (8000 AO Polish)

How much polish?
➡️ 1 ⅓ tbsp per pound of rock
➡️ For 3 lbs: 4 tbsp (2 oz)

Clean again, obsessively. Even tiny grit leftovers can ruin this stage.
Add polish, water, and ceramic media.
Tumble:
- Rotary: 7–14 days
- Vibratory: 2–7 days

Result: mirror-like finish, especially if followed by burnish.

Optional Final Burnish

To remove haze or boost shine:

Add rocks, clean water, 2–3 tbsp Borax or grated unscented Ivory soap.
Tumble for 4–6 hours (rotary or vibratory).
Rinse well and air-dry completely.

Troubleshooting

Q: My slurry dried out mid-cycle.
➡️ Add water and check earlier next time, especially in dry climates or with long runs.

Q: Rocks are dull after polish.
➡️ Could be contamination or under-prepping. Clean better and don’t skip Stage 3.

Q: Rocks chipped or cracked.
➡️ Add ceramic media or softer filler stones to cushion during Stage 1.

Q: White residue after polish.
➡️ Normal, try a final burnish tumble with soap or Borax.

Q: Barrels are loud or off-balance.
➡️ Add ceramic media or rebalance load with more rocks of varying size.