Rock Tumbling Grit - Stage 2 Medium 220 Grit - Silicon Carbide
Our 220 grit silicon carbide is a Stage 2 medium tumbling grit for tumblers, used after coarse grinding to smooth out the scratches left by Stage 1, refine the shape of the stones, and prepare them for the finer stages ahead. If you want stones that are ready for pre-polish and final polish, this is the step that starts turning rough shaping into a smooth surface.
A good polish does not come straight from coarse grit. Stage 2 is where the rough work begins to look clean and controlled.
What Stage 2 Grit Does
Stage 2 is the smoothing stage. This medium grit helps:
- Remove the heavy scratches left by Stage 1 coarse grit
- Smooth and refine the surface of the stones
- Continue shaping while leaving a finer finish
- Prepare rocks for Stage 3 fine grit and later polishing
- Improve surface quality before the final finishing stages
This stage is what bridges the gap between rough shaping and a properly polished stone. If you move on too soon, scratches and roughness from earlier stages can carry all the way through the rest of the process.
Best For
Use this grit when you want to:
- Move on from Stage 1 after the rocks are properly shaped
- Smooth away coarse grinding marks
- Refine stones before fine grit and polish
- Improve surface texture after initial shaping
- Prepare a batch for the later finishing stages
Not For
This grit is not for:
- Initial shaping of rough rock
- Removing heavy rind or deep weathering
- Final polishing
- Quick shine improvement
- Vibratory finishing stages
If your rocks still have major pits, deep cracks, sharp edges, or rough weathered surfaces, they usually need more time in Stage 1 before moving to this grit.
Use With Rotary or Vibratory Tumblers
This grit can be used with rotary or vibratory tumblers.
If you are working through a full tumbling cycle, this is the second step before moving on to fine grit and polish.
How to Use It
For most rotary tumbler batches:
- Make sure the rocks are fully cleaned after Stage 1 before starting Stage 2
- Fill the barrel about 2/3 to 3/4 full
- Add about 1 tablespoon of grit per pound of rock
- Add water until it is just visible among the top layer of stones
- Run the batch, then inspect the stones before moving to the next stage
Before advancing, the rocks should feel noticeably smoother and no longer show the harsh surface scratches left by coarse grit.
How Much Do You Need?
The right size depends on how often you tumble and how many batches you run.
- Sample - 2 oz: good for testing or very small batches
- Small Bottle - 8 oz: good starter size for occasional tumbling
- Medium Bottle - 16 oz: a solid all-around size for regular hobby use
- Large Tub - 32 oz / 3 lb: good value for frequent tumbling
- Bulk Bag - 10 lb or 25 lb: ideal for heavy use, repeat batches, clubs, classrooms, or serious hobbyists
Many tumblers use less Stage 2 than Stage 1, but it is still an essential part of getting a clean, polished result.
Why Medium Grit Matters
Stage 2 is what cleans up the damage left behind by coarse grinding.
If you skip it, or rush through it, scratches from Stage 1 can remain in the stones and show up later when you expected a smooth pre-polish surface. Fine grit and polish work best when the stones have already been properly refined.
