Raytech Porcelain Ball Burnishing Media, 5 lb Bag (1, 2, 3, 4 or 6 mm)

Raytech Porcelain Balls are round alumina-silica burnishing media for vibratory tumblers. They produce a bright finish with very little surface wear, which makes them a fit for jewelry, precious metal, wire forms and other light or delicate parts. Each 5 lb bag holds one ball size: 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6 mm.

Who Raytech Porcelain Balls Are For

Choose porcelain balls when you want to brighten and smooth a part, not cut it down. Raytech recommends them for delicate parts, fine edge blanking and precious metal burnishing. If you need to remove burrs, heavy tarnish or a rough cast surface, a cutting ceramic media is the better first step. For a high-shine final polish on soft metals, plastic media is the alternative. Compare both in our tumbler parts, media and replacement bowls collection.

What Porcelain Ball Media Does Well

• Single point contact: a round ball touches the part at one point at a time, giving a fine, even finish on most areas the media can reach.
• No impingement marks: Raytech notes that porcelain avoids the dents steel shot can leave on softer metals and flat surfaces.
• Lighter than steel: at a density of 125 lbs per cu ft, porcelain is lighter than steel media, so thin parts and wire forms are less likely to bend or distort.
• Very little surface wear: fine detail and engraving stay sharp because the media burnishes rather than grinds.

Choosing a Ball Size

Raytech's rule is simple: smaller balls for smaller workpieces, larger balls for larger ones. Size the balls so they move through openings freely or are clearly too big to enter them, because a ball that just fits can lodge in a ring gallery, chain link or hole.

• 1 mm and 2 mm: fine chain, small rings, earrings and pieces with tight detail.
• 3 mm and 4 mm: general jewelry and medium-size parts.
• 6 mm: larger, heavier pieces with open shapes.

Raytech recommends mixing ball sizes for good vibratory action. Each bag on this listing is a single size, so for a mix, order two sizes and combine them.

What's in the Bag

• 5 lb of Raytech Porcelain Balls in the size you select

Not included: a tumbler or compound. Raytech recommends its Compound D (part 41004R) with this media; you'll find it with the other Raytech finishing products and tumblers.

How to Use Porcelain Balls in a Vibratory Tumbler

• Break it in first: run new media for 4 to 6 hours, usually with water. This deglazes the surface of the balls so they work properly.
• Load ratio: Raytech's general rule is about 70% media to 30% parts by volume for the best finish.
• Add compound: use Raytech Compound D in the wet run.
• Rinse: rinse the media and parts after the run so compound residue does not dry on them.

Using Porcelain Media on Metal Detecting Finds

Porcelain balls suit gold and silver jewelry finds that come out of the ground scratched and dull but intact. A run in porcelain media brightens the metal without cutting away detail. Our recommendation: do not tumble coins or relics that may have collector value. Tumbling removes patina and leaves a polished surface that collectors and dealers mark down. Check stones and settings before tumbling a ring, as soft or loose stones are better cleaned by hand. See all our tools for cleaning finds in the tumblers and cleaning supplies collection.

Limits and Safety

• Porcelain balls polish and burnish. They will not remove deep scratches, heavy corrosion or casting marks.
• Raytech's guidance for this media is written for vibratory finishing.
• Raytech lists a California Proposition 65 warning for this product: it can expose you to lead. Wear gloves when handling and wash your hands afterward.