920 polishing compound, 1 pound

For a shiny finish on your silver plate and sterling flatware, use this polishing/burnishing compound. It works best with stainless steel jewelers shot in a rotary tumbler, and also produces great results on gold, brass, copper, zinc, and aluminum.

It’s important to note that reusing the water in your tumbler can actually harm your jewelry’s shine. Dirt particles can accumulate in the water and leave small scratches on your pieces. Therefore, we recommend discarding the water once it becomes dirty.

To use this compound, mix 1/4-1/2 tsp of the powdered 920 compound with 2 pounds of stainless steel shot, 20 rings, and enough water to cover everything by 1/2″. Tumble for 20 minutes to 2 hours, then discard the water. If you have a larger tumbler, adjust the amount of 920 accordingly.

After use, rinse out the shot and lay it out on a towel to dry. If you use the tumbler frequently, you can rinse the shot and cover it with fresh water until the next time it’s needed.

It’s important to remember that using clean water each time is crucial for maintaining your jewelry’s shine. The cost per batch is minimal, and reusing dirty water can negatively affect your jewelry’s appearance. Don’t treat your beautiful pieces like dirty laundry or dishes. Use fresh water each time to keep them looking their best.

I found a helpful video by Mark Nelson of Rio Grande that explains the basics of tumbling. In the video, he uses the Super Sunsheen burnishing compound and also has a box of the 920 compound on the table. According to him, the 920 compound is just as effective as the Super Sunsheen.