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Should I get my 45 mm chrome x-pole powder coated?
Hi everyone!
So, I need some advice as to whether or not I should get my x-pole powder coated…
The main issue I'm having right now is extremely sweaty hands. I know that this topic has been covered immensely on this forum and I've tried all the tips/suggestions but I seem to sweat through everything (Tite grip, DGP, Mighty Grip, etc.). Dry Hands probably works the best for me, but in an hour session, I have to reapply 8 – 10 times because I just sweat it off. I'm currently on day 3 of trying out Drysol (Certain Dry was too weak and didn't work for me), but I haven't really noticed a difference. I've also tried gloves but I don't like them. I have the fingerless and full-fingered non tacky might grip gloves, but for some reason I can't seem to grip my pole safely with them on and I end up being able to grip better without them on. I also have the tacky fingerless gloves, but they are too tacky for me…I have trouble repositioning my hands once I put them on and they constantly get stuck to the pole 🙁
I think the most frustrating part about this whole thing is that I can string moves together, freestyle or put a routine together. I can execute individual moves because I can wipe my pole down in between, but I can't even perform 2 consecutive moves because my hands are that sweaty after the first one.
I know that as you get more experienced, you start sweating less…and I definitely have noticed that! But, its just doesn't seem right that I can't even do a basic fireman after walking for 2 8-counts around the pole, when I don't have a problem executing pretty int/adv moves on their own (SM, iguana mount, gemini/scorpio switch, aerial invert, teddy, superman, etc.).
So, I guess my question is…would powder coating my pole really make that much of a difference? Or would it not really help with the problem I have in terms of freestyling and doing multiple moves without having to wipe down my pole?
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20 Replies
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Oops, it should say "I can't string moves together, freestyle or put a routine together."
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It will not help if the problem you have is sweaty hands. While powder coated poles do offer great grip it will not help if you have a layer of moisture between your skin and pole. I would think that brass or titanium gold would be your better options seeing as they are more porous than stainless, chrome or powder coated.
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Well once you go there you aren't able to go back. So please make sure it's really what you want to do. But I did have my 50 chrome powder coated last year, along with a few others who've done it (the powder coating). I will admit grip is amazing with my pole since it's been done. Only draw back is you might leave a bit of skin when it's really warm, lol!
http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4567887_powder-coating-work.html
This is a link that discusses how the process works. You can also see pix of my pole on my page too.
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This hasn't been mentioned on the forums recently so I think it is worth noting that there are polers out there who get treatment for hyperhydrosis of the hands, botox injections into the hands to paralyze the sweat glands. If you do get a diagnosis of hyperhydrosis, insurance might cover the injections.
The second suggestion I have to offer is simply patience. I remember posting a dozen times about this issue if I posted about it once in the first year of dancing. Truth is I still sweat but it no longer affects my grip to as impossible of an extent as it used to…it may be a sign you are still "squeezing" to get your hand group rather than using push/pull mechanics that minimize the force your hands/fingers are using to squeeze the pole for grip. Working on your grip strength consistently can help.
My third suggestion is designed to help the second…try some "non-standard" or lesser known grip aids or other major ones you haven't tried to help you combat the frustration and do the practicin that will improve your grip. I have really excellent luck rubbing a bit of white toothpaste into the palms of my hands, then rinsing off with just plain water and toweling dry. Leaves my hands very tacky. I also find the grip aids work better when applied long before. Put on dry hands or some certain-dry roll-on antiperspirant two hours before pole, then an hour before pole. But I have the longest practices with clean hands. I get more benefit out of taking a break to scrub my hands very clean, like with dish-washing liquid, than I get by re-applying grip aid during practice when I'm sweaty.
I understand the frustration. Sadly the frustration can prevent you from finding the answer, so don't give up hope. It will get better with practice and experimentation. And there is a proven medical solution as a backup if you need it.
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Just to second what chemgoddess said, you might want to consider a TG pole. I am a very sweaty person, and my hands sound exactly like yours. I first learned on steel, got a chrome, and finally just got TG. My grip quality has only improved with each material change. So far the TG pole has been awesome for me. I still have to wipe my hands down occasionally, but not after every move like I used to.
I have also used brass poles in studios. While brass was very sticky when I was dry, once I started to sweat I actually slipped more on brass than anything else. It may have been due to the brass cleaner that studios use to keep them shiny. It was really scary for me, so I was turned off brass for that reason. Other people love it. I have never used a powder coated pole so I can't speak for that finish. But I love the TG. It cleans as easily as a chrome pole (windex or alcohol) and once I got used to it, it really changed my outlook on what was possible for me.
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Chem and portablenjinja – I agree, I think TG would probably have been a better choice than chrome…I didn't expect that my hands would sweat this much. I guess I will just have to get a TG pole as my next pole, whenver that may be! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif
Sexyrockstars – Thanks for the link! It seems like powder coated probably wont end up making too much of a difference for me… 🙁
Poledanceromance – I have read about the botox injections for hyperhidrosis, but to be honest, I'm terrified, so I don't know if I would even be able to get myself to do that lol. Hopefully, like you said, I will get less sweaty the more confident I am and the more I practice. Luckily, I don't have any other sweating issues besides my hands, so maybe I should focus more on leg/forum/armpit holds.
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I have dry, but sweaty hands and TG is the worst finish ever for me. Better than stainless, but worse than chrome. It really does come down to body chemistry. If you can't try it, don't buy it.
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Whoa! SexyRockStarsWife, thanks for that link! I have never really looked up what the powdercoating process entails before. I didn't realize that the pole had to be dipped in an acid wash or sandblasted. I am guessing that the chrome coating is removed then? I had always wondered if the chrome coating itself would affect the longevity of the powdercoating or its ability to bind to the surface of the pole. Interesting.
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i have a 50mm brass now in addition to my 45mm TG. I still have grip issues on these poles due to sweaty hands. If your hands are wet, they will slip. During practices when I dont wear gloves, I just use lots of dry hands, tite grip, and keep the alcohol and towel by my side.
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I spray painted my chrome and had my brass clear powder coated. the spray paint helped a lot…..the powder coated didn’t change my grip at all. Now I have ordered another chrome since I want to perform someday and chrome is the standard. don’t mess w or pole…u will probably be sorry in the long run. have u ever tried Farmers Firm Hold Spray? u will stick like a fly on flypaper. I even spray it on my poles…..
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Lyme – I just ordered the Cramer spray, so I’m hoping that will help! 🙂
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u will LOOOOVVE IT!!!!!
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Powder coat doesn't make a difference with sweaty hands. You wil most likely slide just as much. Just keep playing with grip aids. Try some Drity Girl Poletice first, then you can layer dry hands on top if you need to.
I will note, that my hands slide equally on chrome, TG, stainless, and PC. Brass helps a little bit, but not a whole lot.
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Hi Emnemz,
I completely feel your pain because this was me in the first 2.5 years of my pole-dancing journey! It was so bad that I wore hideous dishwashing gloves to class because they worked beautifully on the pole studio's Stainless Steel poles!
My sweaty hands have only really started to improve drastically in the last 6 months or so and this was because I was consistent in my daily nightly application of Driclor before I went to sleep. I did this on both hands and feet and let it air dry and then went to sleep.Nowadays, I only have to do this every second night to maintain that level of dryness on my hands and feet and if I'm feeling especially sweaty, I might do this 2 nights in a row, then break for a night and then start again the following night.
It has really helped me a lot + I use Dirty Girl Poletice (I'm so glad I got this shipped all the way from the US!! It is a MIRACLE product!!!!!) & Dry Hands on my hands and a bit of iTac2 on my legs.
Also, keep in mind, certain floor surfaces may also add to your sweatiness. I learnt that carpet against my bare feet make my feet and hands sweat, whereas a tiled or wooden surface didn't! Very strange, huh?!
I've even been so dry on wooden floors at another studio that I couldn't grip the pole and needed a way to get my hands and feet to get just that tiny bit sweaty in order to grip! Best way for this was to dab a tiny bit of hand cream on my hands and rub and wipe away any excess!Hang in there, darl. You WILL find something that works for you as I sort of have and couldn't be happier that I persevered to this extent!
The improvement is really worth it! -
Aerialgypsy and Juicy j -Thanks for the advice and the words of encouragement! I have tried DGP before and I still sweated through it, but maybe it will be different now since I have been using Drysol. I’ll try the DGP + Dry Hands combo too…hopefully that works! 🙂
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Hi Emnemz,
To help your grip issue, we can send you a bottle of X-Clean to clean your pole: http://xpoleus.com/store/xclean-p-1237.html. Please email your shipping address to Lindsey@xpoleus.com. I also have a few more suggestions if you want to call me directly at 818-794-7157.
Thanks!
Lindsey
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I don't know if this is available where you live, but I've had success with Corn Husk lotion. It's cheap and I've found it at Walmart, Walgreens & CVS http://www.walgreens.com/store/browse/overlays/large-product-view.jsp;jsessionid=I+HcaSoIbm0+Zt6LUz0wuQ**.p_dotcom813?skuId=sku6053799&id=prod6057966&vpd=true&overlay=true
At my pole class, the instructor told us about something that Natasha Wang told him about, we tried it and it has very good grip, maybe too much for spins, but I am not a spin person, so works for me. It is also inexpensive, I found it at Sally's Beauty Supplyhttp://s7d3.scene7.com/is-viewers/flash/genericzoom.swf?serverUrl=http://s7d3.scene7.com/is/image/&image=SallyBeauty%2FSBS-147004
These are couple of things you might try for sweaty hands. I surely understand your situation. My poling is not very confident because of fear of losing grip with sweaty hands.
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I went through and liked all the posts that basically said exactly what I'm about to say. I had my 45mm Xstage lite pole powder coated a beautiful royal blue. I could not be happier with the color. The body grip (unless my skin is so dry it's actually irritated in which case: corn huskers!) is awesome! However, what everyone said about the sweaty hands is true, nothing will grip when your hand is wet with sweat I have three of the four materials. I still must use dryhands for my grip because there is no way in the world I will ever get botulism toxin in my hands (or face for that matter) and wipe the pole down every couple songs/moves whatever it is. It only needs a cloth to clean it, does not take any solution or anything. My brass– sometimes the body grip is great and the hand grip sucks and sometimes it's great hand grip but not great body grip. At least my powder coated is consistant. Oh, and for the most part so is my chrome. I play on that when it's cold, there a prayer of me gripping or when I'm really trying to challenge myself and want to add the no grip element to my practice. Hope that helps. I probably actually no definitely wouldn't have gotten my one and only pole powder coated, this was my 3rd working pole I had done. Hope that input helps as well as all the other good advice on here.
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I agree with people here and have also a problem with sweaty hands. I got my 45 mm chrome powder coated black and the grip is amazing, but I still have to use some grip aid to get the sweat off. It is so pretty though!
I bought a liquid grip aid made for climbing (basicly the same thing only more for less price). I think that one works the best but if I ever want to compete or something like that I would probably go for the botox. 🙂
I can now do dances and moves after eachother (finally) but I still sweat alot and get problems. I do find the powder coated to grippy sometimes and "get stuck". Once i tried to slide down and i can just say I wont be doing that anymore! 😉
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I saw athletic adhesive used as a grip aid for the first time this week. It appeared to be very effective. It’s common brand name is “stickum.” http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0012RFP00
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