Deburring
Burrs and sharp slivers left by machining, stamping or casting are worn away evenly, so parts are safe to handle and ready for assembly or plating.
Soft Edges,
Even Shine
Even Shine
Deburring, smoothing and burnishing for small metal parts by the batch, plus soft tumbled looks for brass and decorative hardware. Finished alone or as the first step before plating, in our Oceanside shop.
Certified, Approved and Verified
Tumble Finishing
One Batch, Hundreds of Parts, the Same Finish
Tumble finishing is simple to describe. Parts go into a vibrating bowl or a turning barrel with a load of small shaped media and a cleaning compound. As everything moves together for hours, the media rubs against every surface, knocking off burrs, rounding sharp edges and leaving the metal smooth and even. It is the most practical way to give a large number of small parts the same finish.
That consistency is the big reason customers use it. Polishing a few hundred hinges, knobs or brackets by hand would take days and every piece would come out a little different. In a tumbler they all get the same treatment at the same time, so a drawer of hardware or a run of machined parts looks like it belongs together.
We use tumbling two ways. For manufacturers and machine shops, it is a clean, efficient way to deburr and smooth parts before they are plated, painted or assembled. For designers, restorers and hardware makers, it creates a soft, hand worn look with gently rounded edges that new metal simply does not have, especially on brass and bronze.
Not sure which finish your parts need? Send photos, a part count and what the parts are used for. We will suggest a finish, run a few samples if needed, and send back a written quote.
What We Do
Tumble Finishing Services
Six ways a tumbler can change the look and feel of your parts, used alone or combined with plating.
Edge Smoothing
Sharp corners are gently rounded and tool marks are softened. Parts feel better in the hand and plating covers edges more evenly.
Burnishing
Steel media presses the surface smooth instead of cutting it, bringing up a bright, clean shine on brass, copper and steel without buffing each piece.
Decorative Tumbled Look
A soft satin surface with worn, rounded edges that looks naturally aged. Popular on brass hinges, pulls, knobs and small decorative castings.
Prep Before Plating
Tumbling first removes scale, light rust and surface marks, so copper, nickel or chrome goes on smoother and the finish looks better for less cost.
Tumbled Antique Finish
Plated or darkened parts are tumbled lightly so the high points wear through and glow, giving hardware a used, lived in character.
Tumbling Results
Before and After
Drag the handle across each photo to see parts as they went into the tumbler and as they came out.
Before
Cast Brass Hinges
Rough castings with parting lines and a dull, uneven skin. Tumbled in stages to smooth the surface and soften the edges into an even satin glow.
SATIN TUMBLED
BRASS
HARDWARE SET
Before
Machined Steel Parts
Fresh off the machine with burrs, sharp corners and cutting oil. Deburred, edge smoothed and dried spot free, ready to go straight to plating.
DEBURRED
STEEL
PRODUCTION RUN
Before
Aged Brass Knobs
Bright, brand new brass that looked out of place in an old home. Darkened and tumbled so the edges wear back to brass, like decades of use.
AGED TUMBLED
BRASS
RESTORATION
What Our Clients Say
Trusted by Professionals
From custom builders to industrial manufacturers, our clients trust us to deliver the same result every time.
Choosing the Right Approach
Tumbled, Hand Polished or Both
Each method has its place. The right one depends on how many parts you have, their shape and the look you want.
Tumble Finishing
- Many parts finished at once
- Same result on every piece
- Reaches corners and recesses
- Softens edges as it smooths
- Lower cost per part
Hand Polishing
- True mirror shine on flat faces
- Keeps edges crisp and sharp
- Better for large or delicate pieces
- Each part handled individually
- Higher cost per part
Tumble Then Plate
- Burrs and marks removed first
- Smoother base for the plating
- Less hand work before plating
- Even look across a full run
- Common for production hardware
Behind the Finish
The Media Makes the Difference
The small pieces that tumble with your parts decide how much metal is removed and how the surface looks. We choose them part by part.
Ceramic Media
Heavy and abrasive. Used to take down burrs, casting skin and tool marks on steel, stainless and other hard metals.
Plastic Media
Lighter and gentler, so it smooths brass, aluminum and zinc without cutting too deep or rounding details away.
Porcelain Media
Fine and dense. It cuts very little and leaves a smooth, bright surface ready for plating or a final polish.
Stainless Steel Media
Pins, balls and small shapes that press the surface smooth rather than wearing it away, bringing up a bright shine.
Walnut Shell and Corn Cob
Dry natural media used with polishing compound for a soft luster, and to dry parts without water spots.
Compounds and Water
The liquid in the tumbler cleans, protects parts from tarnish while they run and helps control how bright the finish turns out.
How It Works
Our Tumble Finishing Process
Every batch starts with a test, so the full run comes out exactly the way you expect.
1
Photos and Part Count
Tell us what the parts are, how many you have and the finish you are after.
2
Sample Run
We tumble a few pieces first so you can see and approve the finish before the full batch.
3
Full Batch
Parts run with the media and cycle time dialed in from the sample, in stages when needed.
4
Rinse, Dry and Check
Every batch is rinsed, dried spot free and checked for lodged media and missed burrs.
5
Plate or Pack
Parts move on to plating or patina, or are packed by part number and shipped back insured.
Ship It From Anywhere
You don't have to live nearby to work with us.
Customers all over the country pack their parts and ship them to our Oceanside shop. We finish them, inspect them and send them back insured. It starts with a few photos.
What We Can Tumble
Metals We Tumble Finish
Hard metals and soft metals behave very differently in a tumbler. Each gets its own media and cycle time.
Brass, Bronze and Copper
Take a beautiful satin or burnished finish and are the go to metals for the decorative tumbled look on hardware and castings.
Steel
Deburred and smoothed with cutting media, then rinsed and dried quickly so the bare steel does not flash rust before plating.
Stainless Steel
Tough enough for aggressive media. Tumbling gives stainless an even satin or bright burnished look without hand polishing.
Aluminum
Soft and easy to over process, so it runs with lighter media and shorter cycles to protect details and dimensions.
Zinc Die Cast
Soft castings with fine detail. Gentle media removes parting lines and flash without rounding off the design.
Plated and Finished Parts
Light tumbling over plating creates a worn antique look. We review these first, since too much time cuts through the finish.
35+
Years of Expertise
Take a Moment to Learn More
About Decorative Metal Coatings
Since 1989 we have finished metal for manufacturers, designers and restorers. Tumbling, plating and patina all happen under one roof, so your parts go from rough to finished without changing hands.
Free Estimates Available
Send photos and a part count and receive a no obligation quote within 24 hours.
Quality Guaranteed
Every batch leaves our shop backed by our craftsmanship guarantee. If you are not satisfied, we make it right.
Ship From Anywhere in the US
Small parts in bulk ship easily and affordably. Send a box from any state and get it back insured.
Fast Turnaround Times
Most projects are completed within 3 to 5 weeks. Expedited Orders: 5 to 7 business days. Contact us for availability.
Tumble Finishing Catalog
Services, Looks and Pairings
Everything we do in the tumbler, the finishes it creates and the services that often follow.
Tumble Services
- Deburring
- Edge Smoothing
- Scale and Light Rust Removal
- Burnishing
- Pre Polishing
- Spot Free Drying
- Staged Multi Step Runs
- Sample Runs
Finish Looks
- Satin Tumbled
- Bright Burnished
- Soft Matte
- Aged Tumbled Brass
- Tumbled Antique Over Plating
- Worn Edge Highlight
- Tumbled and Lacquered
Paired Services
- Copper Plating
- Nickel Plating
- Chrome Plating
- Brass Plating
- Patina Finishes
- Powder Coating
- Clear Lacquer
- Sample Matching
Our Commitment
Every Batch Done Right
Tumbling looks easy from the outside. Getting the same result on hundreds of parts without damaging a single one takes care.
Sample First
A few parts are run and approved before the full batch, so there are no surprises when the rest come out.
Right Media for the Part
Media size and type are matched to the metal and the holes in each part, to avoid lodging and over cutting.
Checked Piece by Piece
Finished parts are checked for leftover burrs, stuck media and water spots before they are packed.
Kept by Part Number
Different parts are run and packed separately and labeled the way you sent them, ready for your stock shelf.
What We Do Differently
- We run a sample and get your approval first
- Hard and soft parts are never mixed in one load
- Parts with holes and threads are checked for stuck media
- Steel is dried fast so it does not flash rust
- Tumbling and plating happen in the same shop
What You May Experience Elsewhere
- Full batches run blind with no sample
- Mixed loads that ding and scratch softer parts
- Media left stuck in holes and threads
- Water spots and flash rust on returned parts
- Parts shipped between shops for each step
Who We Serve
Who Relies on Our Tumbling
From casino resorts to machine shops, anyone with a lot of small metal parts that need to look and feel finished.
Casinos and Gaming
Small brass trim, table hardware, rail fittings and decorative accents finished in matching batches, so replacement pieces blend in with the rest. Trusted by casino resorts across North County San Diego.
Architectural Hardware
Hinges, pulls, knobs and escutcheons with a soft tumbled finish that matches across an entire home or project.
Machine Shops and Manufacturers
Production parts deburred and smoothed in volume, ready for plating, coating or assembly.
Furniture and Cabinetry
Furniture makers use tumbled hardware for a warm, hand finished look on cabinets, chests and tables.
Lighting and Fixtures
Small lamp parts, finials, canopies and fittings given an even finish before plating or patina.
Makers and Small Brands
Buckles, keychains, tags and other small metal goods finished in batches for makers and growing brands.
Batch Guide
What to Tell Us Before Your Parts Run
A little information up front makes a big difference in how a batch turns out. Start with the obvious: what the parts are made of, how many you have and the finish you want. A photo of a finished part you like, or a sample piece, is the fastest way to show us.
Tell us about any edges that must stay sharp or any dimensions that are tight. Tumbling removes only a tiny amount of metal, but it does round corners, so a sealing edge, a knife edge or a close fitting part needs a plan before it goes in.
Point out holes, slots and threads. Media can wedge into openings that are close to its size, so we pick a media shape and size that stays clear of them. Telling us the hole sizes up front saves time for everyone.
Finally, let us know what happens next. Parts that will be plated get a different finish than parts that will be lacquered or left bare, and parts headed for an assembly line can be packed the way your team needs them.
Project Gallery
Tumble Finishing Gallery
Hardware, castings and production parts deburred, smoothed and tumbled in our Oceanside shop.
Nationwide Service
Ship Your Parts by the Box From Anywhere in the US
Manufacturers, makers and restorers in every state send us parts for tumbling. A few simple steps keep each batch organized.
01
Get a quote first
Send photos, the metal type and a part count. You will get a written price and lead time, usually the same business day. Please wait for your quote number before shipping.
02
Bag by part number
Keep each part type in its own labeled bag. Mixed parts take longer to sort and hard pieces can mark softer ones on the way here.
03
Pack it tight
Small parts are heavy, so use a strong box and fill the empty space. Insure the box for its real value and email us the tracking number.
04
Finished and returned
We send photos of the sample or finished batch when needed, then pack everything by part number and ship it back insured.
Visit Us
Our Location
Local shops and makers are welcome to drop off parts for tumbling at our facility in North County San Diego.
Decorative Metal Coatings
Tumble finishing, plating and patina under one roof since 1989.
- Address 2613 Temple Heights Dr, Ste G, Oceanside, CA 92056
- Phone (760) 746 3378
- Quotes Send photos and get a price
Business Hours
- Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Sunday Closed
Close to North County business parks
Machine shops and manufacturers in Carlsbad, Vista, San Marcos and Oceanside can drop off a batch in the morning and skip the shipping. Outside the area? Parts ship easily from every state.
Cities We Serve
Select your city for tumble finishing turnaround times and drop off options in your area.
North County San Diego
City of San Diego and South Bay
San Diego
Chula Vista
National City
Imperial Beach
Coronado
La Mesa
El Cajon
Santee
La Jolla
Otay Mesa
Riverside and Orange County
Tumble Finishing Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What customers ask most before sending a batch for tumbling. Still have a question? Call the shop or send a message.
It is a way to finish many small parts at once. The parts run in a vibrating bowl or turning barrel with small media and a cleaning compound, and the constant rubbing removes burrs, softens edges and smooths the surface. Depending on the media, the result can be matte, satin or bright.
Only slightly. Tumbling removes a very small amount of metal and rounds sharp corners. For most hardware and decorative parts that is exactly what you want. If your parts have tight tolerances or edges that must stay sharp, tell us before we quote and we will plan the media and cycle around them.
Yes. We choose a media size and shape that will not wedge into the openings, and we check parts for stuck media before they are packed. Sending us the hole and thread sizes up front helps us pick the right setup.
Tumbling makes the most sense when you have a lot of small parts, from a few dozen up to full production runs. For just a handful of pieces, hand polishing may give a better result for the money. Send us your count and we will tell you which way to go.
Yes, and it is one of our favorite jobs. New brass can be darkened and then tumbled so the edges and high points wear back to bright metal, giving it the look of decades of use. It is a great way to match new hardware to original pieces in an older home.
Usually before. Tumbling first removes burrs and marks so the plating goes on smoother. Light tumbling after plating is used only when you want a worn antique look, since too much time can cut through the finish.
Pricing depends on the size and number of parts, the metal, how rough they start and the finish you want. Because many parts run together, the cost per piece is often much lower than hand finishing. Send photos and a count and we return a written quote within 24 business hours.
Absolutely. We are in Oceanside, in North County San Diego, close to the Carlsbad and Vista business parks. Dropping off is the easiest option for local shops and for heavy boxes. Give us a call ahead so we can be ready.