# Best rock tumbling polish for step 4 Source: https://tumblegrit.com/best/best-rock-tumbling-polish Publisher: Tumble Grit. Picks are chosen from what each Amazon listing states, not from hands-on tests. Method: https://tumblegrit.com/how-we-pick Polish (step 4) is the last abrasive step, and it is the one buyers replace when kit polish leaves stones dull. Aluminum oxide polish is the common one; cerium oxide and tin oxide are also used. What differs between listings is the material and the stated fineness: standard step 4 aluminum oxide is sold as 1200 or 1500 grit, while ultra-fine aluminum oxide is sold as 8000 or 12,000 grit and described as sub-micron. Packs run from 1 lb to 8 lb. A finer polish does not rescue a batch that was not ready. Stones that are not shiny have usually had step 3 cut short or carry grit from an earlier step, so rinse the stones, barrel, lid and lid seal thoroughly before polishing. A polish run takes 7 to 10 days in a rotary barrel, at about 2 level tablespoons per pound of rock. This guide compares single-step polishes by material, grit, weight and container as the Amazon listings state them. Nothing was tested. No single-step tin oxide polish turned up among the listings checked for this guide. ## Picks ### 1. Rock Tumbler Grit Step 4, 1200 Grit Aluminum Oxide Polish Refill 5LB Material: Aluminum oxide; Grit: 1200; Weight: 5 lb; Container: not stated A 5 lb step 4 refill of 1200 grit aluminum oxide polish. The listing gives a usage ratio, which helps when working out how many batches the pack covers. What the listing offers: - The listing states 1200 grit aluminum oxide polish for step 4, used after step 3 fine grinding. - Gives a usage ratio: about 1 oz of polish per pound of rocks, for up to approximately 80 lb of rocks. - Listed as compatible with most standard rotary and vibratory rock tumblers. Limits to know: - 5 lb of polish is more than a small 3 lb barrel is likely to use in a short time. - Container type and country of origin are not stated in the listing details used for this guide. ### 2. Rock Tumbler Grit - Tumbler Media Grit,Rock Polishing Grit Media, Rock Polisher, Stone Polisher, Silicon Carbide Grit, Step 1/2/3/4 for Tumbling Stones (STEP4-2LB) Material: Aluminum oxide; Grit: 1500; Weight: 2 lb; Container: Wide-mouth container 2 lb of final polish 1500 fine aluminum oxide for step 4 in a wide-mouth container. A small refill that is a little finer than the 1200 polish found in many kits. What the listing offers: - The listing states 2 pounds of final polish 1500 fine aluminum oxide. - The listing says the polish is packaged in a wide-mouth container. - Listed for final polishing of pre-polished rocks (step 4), with any brand of rock tumbler. Limits to know: - The title is a generic one shared across steps and mentions silicon carbide; only the bullets name the polish. - No country of origin, usage amounts or instructions are given in the listing. ### 3. MJR Tumblers 12,000 Grit Aluminum Oxide Rock Polish Powder, 1 lb Extreme Fine Final Stage Rock Tumbler Polish, Stone Polishing Compound for Rotary & Vibratory Tumblers, Lapidary Finish Material: Aluminum oxide; Grit: 12,000 (sub-micron); Weight: 1 lb; Container: not stated 1 lb of sub-micron 12,000 grit aluminum oxide, listed for the final stage after pre-polish. An ultra-fine option for anyone whose kit polish left stones dull. What the listing offers: - The listing states sub-micron 12,000 grit aluminum oxide for the final stage of rock tumbling. - Listed as suitable for most rock tumblers, including rotary and vibratory machines. - The listing says it is offered by a USA-based, disabled and veteran-owned company. Limits to know: - Only 1 lb, and the listing gives no amount per pound of rock or run time. - The container type is not stated, and no particle size in microns is given beyond sub-micron. ### 4. Polly Plastics Rock Tumbler Grit Refill, Final Polish 1200 Fine Aluminum Oxide, Stage 4 for Tumbling Stones (2 Pack) (1 lb.) Material: Aluminum oxide; Grit: 1200; Weight: 1 lb (2 x 0.5 lb); Container: Re-usable jars Two 1/2 lb jars of final polish 1200 fine aluminum oxide for step 4. A small, tidy top-up, and the second jar can stay sealed and clean until it is needed. What the listing offers: - The listing states two 1/2 lb jars holding 1 lb of final polish 1200 fine aluminum oxide in total. - Packed in re-usable jars, which the listing says prevent spills and store unused product. - Listed as made in the USA by an American company using American sourced materials. Limits to know: - 1 lb in total is a small pack, so anyone tumbling often will reorder soon. - 1200 grit is the same grade many kits include, so it is a refill and not a finer polish. ### 5. 8 lbs Tumbler Media Grit,Polish 1500 Fine Aluminum Oxide, Step 4 for Tumbling Stones,Rock Polishing Grit Media, Works with Any Rock Tumbler Material: Aluminum oxide; Grit: 1500; Weight: 8 lb; Container: not stated 8 lb of final polish 1500 fine aluminum oxide for step 4. The largest polish pack in this guide, for large barrels or people who tumble many batches. What the listing offers: - The listing states 8 pounds of final polish 1500 fine aluminum oxide for step 4. - Listed as compatible with any brand of rock tumbler. - The largest pack among the single-step polishes compared in this guide. Limits to know: - The listing does not describe the container or how the 8 lb is packed. - Four short bullets only: no country of origin, usage amounts or instructions are given. ### 6. Fundamental Rockhound 1 lb Yellow Cerium Oxide Lapidary Rock Glass Polish Material: Cerium oxide; Grit: not stated; Weight: 1 lb; Container: not stated 1 lb of light yellow cerium oxide polish for rocks and glass. The listing says it can be used in rock tumblers as well as on wheels, belts and flat laps. What the listing offers: - The listing states 1 pound of light yellow cerium oxide polish for rocks and glass. - The listing gives the purity as 99.9% cerium oxide. - Listed for wheels, belts and flat laps with cotton duck or leather, and for rock tumblers. Limits to know: - No particle size or grit number is stated, so it cannot be compared by fineness. - The listing gives no tumbler amounts or run time, and the container is not described. ### 7. Rock Tumbler 8000 Polishing Grits - Aluminum Oxide, Step 5 Grit - Premium Polish Refill for Final Abrasive Tumbling Powder, 1 Lb Tumbling Media for Stones, Gems, and Glass to Achieve High Shine Finish Material: Aluminum oxide; Grit: 8000 (sub-micron); Weight: 1 lb; Container: not stated 1 lb of 8000 grit sub-micron aluminum oxide. The listing calls it step 5 and says to use it after a regular 800 to 1500 grit polish, not in place of it. What the listing offers: - The listing states 8000 grit sub-micron aluminum oxide polish in a 1 lb pack. - The listing says to use it after a regular 800 to 1500 grit polish, not instead of it. - Usage is given: about 2 scoops per batch, water to just cover the stones, 3 to 5 days. Limits to know: - It is an extra cycle after step 4, so a regular polish still has to be bought and run first. - The amount is given in scoops with no scoop size, and the container is not described. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.