Dry Tumbling Media – Information, Specs & Selection Guide
Brighten, smooth, and refine surfaces with zero water, minimal dust, and complete process control.
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Bel Air’s dry tumbling media is the result of decades of production experience. Designed to eliminate the mess and maintenance of traditional wet finishing—especially the challenges of wastewater disposal—our dry finishing systems deliver clean, consistent, and high-quality results.
Our media is engineered around four key performance factors:
- Cut – Reduces burrs and smooths rough surfaces
- Color – Brightens or polishes the workpiece
- Size – Affects part contact, flow, and risk of lodging
- Density – Influences impact force and process efficiency
Whether polishing delicate parts or prepping tough metals, Bel Air offers a complete range of dry tumbling media—including walnut shell, corn cob, and performance-enhancing additives—tailored to your finishing goals.
Available Media Carriers & Additives:
How Dry Polishing Media Works
Dry polishing media gradually smooths and brightens part surfaces using treated natural or synthetic carriers—like walnut shell, corn cob, or coconut shell—often enhanced with abrasives or polishing compounds.
Unlike wet finishing, this method avoids sludge or wastewater while still delivering consistent visual and functional results.
Media Carriers
Corn Cob
Corn cob is a lightweight, porous organic media derived from the woody ring of the cob. It’s softer and less angular than walnut shell, making it ideal for gentle dry polishing, burnishing, and drying applications.
Treated corn cob can be used for brightening or coloring metals, while raw cob absorbs oils and contaminants, making it useful in drying or cleaning operations. It’s also appropriate for delicate parts where minimal abrasion is needed.
| Composition | Density | Common Applications | Common Materials | Shape & Size | Performance Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D-CC | 33 lbs/cu. ft. | Polishing, drying, oil removal, burnishing, cleaning or finishing of delicate parts | Brass, aluminum, jewelry alloys, soft non-ferrous metals | Rounded granules, 10/14, 12/20 mesh | Too soft for cutting, but may smooth light burrs on delicate parts when used with polishing additives |
Walnut Shell
Walnut shell is a hard, fibrous polishing media made from crushed walnut husks. It’s extremely durable, angular, and multi-faceted—yet still considered a soft abrasive. Walnut shell is available in a range of mesh sizes and is often treated with abrasives or polishing compounds for applications such as polishing, coating removal, or surface cleaning.
It’s ideal for both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, and can also be used raw for stripping paints or removing contaminants without scratching or etching part surfaces.
| Composition | Density | Common Applications | Common Materials | Shape & Size | Performance Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D-WS | 45 lbs/cu. ft. | Polishing, coating removal, surface cleaning | Aluminum, brass, titanium, stainless steel | Angular granules, available in 6/10, 8/12, 12/20 mesh | May assist in light surface refinement when treated with cutting additives. |
Coconut Shell
Coconut shell media is a dense, semi-angular organic abrasive made from processed coconut husks. It is more durable than corn cob and slightly softer than walnut shell, offering balanced performance for light grinding, coloring, and dry polishing.
Best used where moderate abrasion is required without damaging surface detail—it’s also suitable for light deburring of soft metals or intricate parts.
| Composition | Density | Common Applications | Common Materials | Shape & Size | Performance Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D-CS | 45 lbs/cu. ft. | Light grinding, dry polishing, surface blending | Titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, gold, silver | Semi-angular granules, available in 20/30, 30/100 mesh | Balances cutting and polishing; suitable for light edge blending and surface refinement on delicate or intricate metal parts. |
Media Shape & Size Samples
Walnut
Walnut
Corn Cob
Corn Cob
Coconut
Coconut
Treatment Additives
Additives are used in combination with carriers. They are abrasive agents, combined with bonding agents that facilitates the adhesion or coating process to the carrier. Some additives are used to make initial “charge” and some are designed to be used to recharge media.
| Product Code | Form | Application | Carriers |
|---|---|---|---|
| D-ADD-18C | Cream | For smoothing & polishing of all materials, including medical parts & jewelry. | WS, CC, CS, WOOD |
| D-ADD-18Pd | Powder | Smoothing and polishing of all materials. Used in wet operation. | CERAMIC, PLASTIC |
| D-ADD-18L | Liquid | Oil additive to enhance performance and reduce dust. | WS, CS, WOOD |
| D-ADD-27Pd | Powder | Imparts a polish surface on aluminum, stainless & steel. | WS |
| D-ADD-29Pd | Powder | Provides high polish on jewelry such as gold and silver. | WS, CC |
| D-ADD-52Pd | Powder | Coarse grinding additive for surface preparation. | WS |
| D-ADD-65P | Paste | Grinding additive for material removal. | WS, CS, WOOD |
| D-ADD-65Pd | Powder | Grinding additive for material removal in wet operation. | CERAMIC, PLASTIC |
| D-ADD-72Pd | Powder | Coarse grinding additive for material removal in wet operation. | CERAMIC, PLASTIC |
| D-ADD-QL104 | Cream | Cream additive designed for bright, lustrous finishes. Runs well at high temp. | |
| D-ADD-2DL | Cream | Cream additive, considered a silver polishing compound, good on all metals. | WS, CS, CC, PLASTIC |
Full Product Listing & Material Compatibility
Use this chart to identify the best dry media based on your part material and desired polishing or honing application.
For a performance chart comparing cut and color results, see the graphs below.
| Product Code | Application | Recharge Additive |
|---|---|---|
| B-ALOX P46 | Aggressive edge prep media. Offers less honing, with some surface finishing. Works well for Carbide and HSS tools. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| B-ALOX SM | Aggressive edge-prep media, ideal for smaller radius tools. Works well on all materials. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| B-ALOX W6 | Aggressive edge prep media, ideal for larger radius tools. Works well on all materials. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| B-ALOX-W6 | Aggressive edge prep media, ideal for larger radius tools. Works well on all materials. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| D-CC 00-200 | Raw, untreated corn cob. Used for very light coloring operations but mostly used for part drying and removal of dirt and light oils from manufacturing processes. Extremely gentle. | |
| D-CC 00-400 | Raw, untreated corn cob. Used for very light coloring operations but mostly used for part drying and removal of dirt and light oils from manufacturing processes. Extremely gentle. | |
| D-CC 16-200 | Treated corn cob. Used for cleaning and giving an even luster vs shine color to most metals. Minimal cut. Min Ra = 3.5 uin. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| D-CC 16-300 | Treated corn cob. Used for cleaning and giving an even luster vs shine color to most metals. Minimal cut. Min Ra = 3.5 uin. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| D-CC 16-300 [ACA 3AZ] | Treated corn cob. Used for cleaning and giving an even luster vs shine color to most metals. Minimal cut. Min Ra = 3.5 uin. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| D-CC 18-300 | Treated walnut shell. Used as final step of smoothing and polishing of all materials, especially medical implants and jewelry. Mirror finishes can be achieved if surface is prepared properly. Achieves the highest luster and color available. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch D-ADD 18 Cream D-ADD Liquid |
| D-CC 26-300 | Treated corn cob. Used for coloring/polishing of most metals and has a light cut on softer metals. Orange Color. Min Ra = 3.5 uin. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| D-CC 29-300 | Treated corn cob. Gives a great cut and a great shine on brass, copper, and bronze metals only. Min Ra = 2.5 uin. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| D-CC 29-300 [ACA Casebrite] | Treated corn cob. Gives a great cut and a great shine on brass, copper, and bronze metals only. Min Ra = 2.5 uin. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| D-CS 26-050 | Treated coconut shell. A combination of a hard and coarse surface with a coarse grinding additive makes this excellent for surface & edge removal. Media keeps its shape well. | D-ADD 65 Paste |
| D-DC 400 | Our fastest and most aggressive honing media. Works well for Carbide and HSS tools. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| D-WS 00-100 | Raw untreated walnut shell. Used for light coloring and very light deburring operation of delicate parts. Slightly more aggressive than corn cob due to its hardness and density. | |
| D-WS 00-300 | Raw untreated walnut shell. Used for light coloring and very light deburring operation of delicate parts. Slightly more aggressive than corn cob due to its hardness and density. | |
| D-WS 04-300 | Treated walnut shell. The walnut shell is the carrier and in combination with the treatment it is used as a first step operation, primarily for cleaning and deoxidizing most metals. Min Ra = 6.5 uin. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| D-WS 04-300 [ACA R-122] | Treated walnut shell. The walnut shell is the carrier and in combination with the treatment it is used as a first step operation, primarily for cleaning and deoxidizing most metals. Min Ra = 6.5 uin. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| D-WS 05-300 | Treated walnut shell. Used as a first step operation for cleaning and deoxidizing Brass and Bronze like metals only. Widely used for cleaning oxidized shell casings. Min Ra = 4.7 uin. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| D-WS 05-300 [ACA Brassbrite] | Treated walnut shell. The walnut shell is the carrier and in combination with the treatment it is used as a first step operation, primarily for cleaning and deoxidizing Brass and Bronze like metals only. Widely used for cleaning oxidized shell casings. Min Ra = 4.7 uin. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| D-WS 08-300 | Treated Walnut Shell. Used for coloring on all metals, especially effective on brass, copper, and bronze. Green color. Min Ra = 4.5 uin. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| D-WS 08-300 [ACA C122] | Treated walnut shell. Used for coloring on all metals, especially effective on white metals. Green Color. Min Ra = 4.5. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| D-WS 17-300 | Treated walnut shell, treated with Luxi blue polishing compounds. Used as final step of smoothing and polishing of all materials, especially medical implants and jewelry. Mirror finishes can be achieved if surface is prepared properly. A high luster & color. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| D-WS 18-300 | Treated walnut shell. Used as final step of smoothing and polishing of all materials, especially medical implants and jewelry. Mirror finishes can be achieved if surface is prepared properly. Achieves the highest luster and color available. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch D-ADD 18 Cream D-ADD Liquid |
| D-WS 18-400 | Treated walnut shell. Used for smoothing and polishing of all materials, especially medical implants and jewelry. Mirror finishes can be achieved if surface is prepared properly. Achieves the highest luster and color available. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch D-ADD 18 Cream D-ADD Liquid |
| D-WS 27-100 | Treated walnut shell. Good luster on white metals, especially good for aluminum, ferrous and stainless steels. Used in vibratory tumblers and high energy machines. Good all-purpose polisher. | D-ADD 27 Pd |
| D-WS 27-300 | Treated walnut shell. Good luster on white metals, especially good for aluminum, ferrous and stainless steels. Used in vibratory tumblers and high energy machines. Good all-purpose polisher. | D-ADD 27 Pd |
| D-WS 29-050 | Treated (red rouge) walnut shell. Used for smoothing and polishing of brass and copper alloys. Typically used for gun shells, hardware and other decorative articles. High luster. Min Ra = 3.5 uin. | D-ADD 29 Powder |
| D-WS 29-300 | Treated (red rouge) walnut shell. Used for smoothing and polishing of brass and copper alloys. Typically used for gun shells, hardware and other decorative articles. High luster. Min Ra = 3.5 uin. | D-ADD 29 Powder |
| D-WS 29-300 [ACA DWS 17] | Treated (red rouge) walnut shell. Used for smoothing and polishing of brass and copper alloys. Typically used for gun shells, hardware and other decorative articles. High luster. Min Ra = 3.5 uin. | D-ADD 29 Powder |
| D-WS 34-300 | Treated Walnut Shell. Good for the extra tough and hard alloys. Long-lasting. Extra hard abrasive. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| D-WS 37-100 | Treated walnut shell. Middle range cut and color used for extremely hard material such as carbide and ceramic components. Excellent for polishing and honing of cutting tools and coatings. Delivers a nice color on the metal. Min Ra = 3.0 uin | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| D-WS 37-300 | Treated walnut shell. Middle range cut and color used for extremely hard material such as carbide and ceramic components. Excellent for polishing and honing of cutting tools and coatings. Delivers a nice color on the metal. Min Ra = 3.0 uin | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| D-WS 46-100 | Treated walnut shell. Middle range gives excellent color while also cutting and smoothing surfaces. Treated with fine yet tough abrasives. Best all-around one step application. Use on all ferrous metals, chrome and titanium alloys. Min Ra = 2.0 uin. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| D-WS 46-300 | Treated walnut shell. Middle range gives excellent color while also cutting and smoothing surfaces. Treated with fine yet tough abrasives. Best all-around one step application. Use on all ferrous metals, chrome and titanium alloys. Min Ra = 2.0 uin. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| D-WS 47-100 | Treated walnut shell. Middle range gives excellent color while also cutting and smoothing surfaces. Treated with fine yet tough abrasives. Slightly better color than D-WS-46. Use on all ferrous metals, chrome and titanium alloys. Min Ra = 2.0 uin | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| D-WS 47-300 | Treated walnut shell. Middle range gives excellent color while also cutting and smoothing surfaces. Treated with fine yet tough abrasives. Slightly better color than D-WS-46. Use on all ferrous metals, chrome and titanium alloys. Min Ra = 2.0 uin | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| D-WS 52-050 | Treated walnut shell. More cutting than coloring for non-ferrous metal and plastics as well. Treated with soft yet coarse abrasives, it produces a matte finish while doing edge prep deburring. | D-ADD 52 Powder |
| D-WS 52-100 | Treated walnut shell. More cutting than coloring for non-ferrous metal and plastics as well. Treated with soft yet coarse abrasives, it produces a matte finish while doing edge prep deburring. | D-ADD 52 Powder |
| D-WS 64-300 | A very aggressive, diamond-esque treated walnut shell for the extra tough and hard alloys. Long-lasting, super hard abrasive, that gives a good luster and low Ra finish. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| D-WS 74-100 | Treated walnut shell. Excellent cut with fair color, giving a more lustrous look to the part. Treated with mid-size, tough angular abrasives. Excellent on tough alloys like chrome, cobalt, titanium, ferrous and stainless steels. Min Ra = 10 uin. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| D-WS 74-300 | Treated walnut shell. Excellent cut with fair color, giving a more lustrous look to the part. Treated with mid-size tough angular abrasives. Excellent on tough alloys like chrome, cobalt, titanium, ferrous and stainless steels. Min Ra = 10 uin. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| D-WS 75-300 | Treated walnut shell. Excellent removal of droplets formed by coating. Provides excellent polish and delivers exceptional color to the coated tool. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| D-WS 82-300 | A very aggressive, diamond-esque treated walnut shell for the extra tough and hard alloys, long-lasting, super hard abrasive, with good metal removal that gives a lustrous look on soft metals and a shiny polish on hard. | Replace 15% w/ fresh media to extend life of batch |
| EF 500 | An extremely long-wearing media specifically formulated for fine finishing of non-ferrous metals. This media will provide excellent pre-plate surfaces on all metals. Weighs approximately 60 lbs. per cubic foot. Color is green. | Maintain full load of machine by adding to load |
| EF 700 | A fast-cutting media containing quartz abrasive. Used specifically to produce an antique finish on jewelry & consumer items. Weighs approximately 60 lbs. per cubic foot. Color is pink. | Maintain full load of machine by adding to load |
| EF 900 | A fast-cutting media containing aluminum oxide abrasive. To be used where heavy cut-down and surface blending is required but higher wear-rate is not a factor, for use on all metals. Weighs approximately 60 lbs. per cubic foot. Color is blue. | Maintain full load of machine by adding to load |
Full Product Listing & Material Compatibility
Use this chart to identify the best dry media based on your part material and desired polishing or honing application.
For a performance chart comparing cut and color results, see the graphs below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dry tumbling media is primarily used for polishing, smoothing, and brightening part surfaces without the need for water, slurry, or wet compound. It’s especially effective for achieving clean, high-luster finishes in dry environments—eliminating mess, sludge, and wastewater byproducts.
Common applications include:
- Jewelry & decorative metals – polishing brass, bronze, silver, and gold to a mirror shine
- Medical devices – smoothing implants and instruments without introducing moisture
- Aerospace & electronics – fine surface refinement of precision-machined or plated parts
- Firearms & optics – dry polishing of housings, slides, and aluminum components
Dry tumbling is often preferred for sensitive parts, low-contamination requirements, or when using pre-treated media with built-in polishing agents.
Dry tumbling eliminates the slurry mess, wastewater disposal, and extra maintenance often associated with wet tumbling systems. While wet processes are typically better suited for aggressive deburring or heavy material removal, dry tumbling excels in polishing delicate parts, maintaining tight tolerances, and producing clean, dust-free finishes. It’s ideal for non-ferrous metals, plastics, and parts that should not be exposed to moisture.
Learn more about our dry polishing media solutions or explore our environmentally friendly ECO-FLEX™ dry deburring media for precise material removal without the use of liquid compounds.
Dry tumbling media is effective on a broad range of materials, especially where water-free, dust-controlled polishing is preferred. Common materials include:
- Aluminum, brass, bronze, and copper – for decorative or functional finishes
- Stainless steel and titanium – ideal for medical and aerospace components
- Gold, silver, and other soft metals – used in jewelry and luxury hardware
- Plastics and polymers – especially in cosmetic, dental, or medical applications
To find the best dry polishing media for your specific material, check out our Cut vs. Color Performance Graphs and explore the full Dry Tumbling Media product page for carrier and additive recommendations.
While dry tumbling is typically used for polishing and surface refinement, certain media—like ECO-FLEX™—are specifically designed for dry deburring and edge blending. Unlike softer organic carriers, ECO-FLEX is a high-density, pre-formed synthetic media that delivers greater cutting force, faster process times, and precise control. It’s ideal for finishing hard metals without the need for water or compound, and won’t stick to flat parts or lodge in part features.
Each dry polishing media carrier offers unique properties suited for specific applications:
- Walnut shell – Hard and angular; best for tougher polishing tasks, surface cleaning, or light coating removal.
- Corn cob – Soft and porous; ideal for gentle polishing, part drying, or oil absorption.
- Coconut shell – Dense with moderate abrasiveness; great for pre-polishing, light grinding, and finishing non-ferrous metals.
Selecting the best dry tumbling media depends on four key performance factors:
- Cut – Ability to remove material or smooth rough surfaces
- Color – Brightness or polish level achieved
- Size – Influences part contact, flow, and risk of media lodging
- Density – Affects impact force and overall process time
Explore our Dry Tumbling Media product page to find Cut vs. Color comparison charts, carrier specs, and treatment additives—all designed to help you select the best media for your material and finishing goals.
Still unsure? Request a Free Sample Evaluation and we’ll recommend a complete dry media system tailored to your part material and surface finish goals.
Yes. Untreated corn cob media is widely used for drying parts after wet processing. Its porous structure absorbs residual moisture and surface oils, making it ideal for “wipe-dry” finishing—especially for delicate parts that can’t be heat-dried or blown off. Corn cob is commonly used in vibratory finishing systems and can also be run in centrifugal disc finishers for final drying or polishing stages.
Heated corn cob processing involves warming the media to enhance its ability to clean and dry parts. The added heat improves absorption of oils and residues, making it effective for removing machining fluids, light contaminants, or fingerprints. This method is often used in mass finishing applications for firearms components, brass parts, and other precision items where surface cleanliness is critical.
Explore our full range of corn cob and dry tumbling media »
Yes. Raw (untreated) corn cob is naturally absorbent, making it an excellent choice for removing surface oils, residues, and light contaminants from metal and plastic parts. It’s especially useful for drying, degreasing, or cleaning parts after machining, plating, or chemical stripping—without scratching delicate surfaces. Corn cob is typically used in dry finishing systems, where it gently cleans while preserving part integrity.
Explore our full range of corn cob and dry tumbling media »
Yes. Treated corn cob media provides gentle, non-abrasive action ideal for polishing soft metals, plastics, and plated parts. It’s commonly used on materials like aluminum, brass, acrylic, and even precious metals such as gold and silver. Corn cob helps enhance surface shine without altering part geometry or damaging fine surface detail.
Corn cob media is ideal for polishing a wide variety of parts—such as brass fittings, firearm components, jewelry, dental parts, and small medical housings. It’s especially effective on soft metals, plated items, and plastics that require a dry, low-abrasion polish. Because it minimizes surface damage and doesn’t introduce moisture, corn cob is a preferred choice for finishing detailed or delicate components in vibratory and centrifugal systems.
Explore our corn cob media and other dry polishing solutions »
Yes. Corn cob tumbling media is frequently used for dry polishing of soft and non-ferrous metals, including brass, aluminum, and copper. Its lightweight, slightly abrasive structure allows it to enhance surface luster without damaging part geometry. Treated corn cob varieties can further improve brightness and color, making this media ideal for finishing decorative components, hardware, and consumer goods.
Explore our corn cob media and other dry polishing solutions »