[jepp2]

If you are talking about using untreated media as a starting point, that is what I will direct my comments toward.

I start with adding about 4X the amount I use to refresh between batches. After that gets worked in and I use it for the first batch, I normally add more polish with every batch.

I happen to use NuFinish most often. Folks always talked about "adding a capful". I found actually using the cap as the measure to very messy. So I just transfer it into a plastic squeeze bottle (like ketchup and mustard are served in). It allows me to disperse in smaller droplets and is much neater on the bottle. I just make a couple of passes around the tumbling media and let it fully disperse before I add the brass.

If you wind up adding too much, it will coat out on the bowl of the tumblers.