Brass X-pole :( help!

Tigerschic041721 started this discussion · 10/30/2013

I recently got a new brass X-pert X-pole that I was very excited to use for the extra grip but now it is even more slippery than the stainless ones at my studio :.( I have barely even used it (maybe three times) and the finish looks like it has come off and possibly rust is starting to set in- how does that even happen? Has anyone else experienced this?? Extremely disappointed especially after spending the $500 for it- please help!

15 replies

missyskinner · 10/30/2013
Wow if thats whats happening then thats not cool at all!! Fortunatly, xpole has great costomer service give them a call is your best bet....their number ia on xpole.com at the top of the homepage.
Dancing Paws · 10/30/2013
brass gets a patina, maybe that is what you are seeing? Is the finish the shiny brass or the matte brass? The matte brass tends to be very slidey.
Dancing Paws · 10/30/2013
you can see the difference between the matte and mirror finishes here: http://femtasticdance.blogspot.com/2013/05/pole-finishes.html have you worked with brass before? Sometimes, mainly with people with very dry skin, brass can be slicker than other materials.
Tigerschic041721 · 10/30/2013
@arialgypsy I have not used a brass pole before; however, this is clearly not something that it should be doing from the looks of it. I have the high shine version (not the matte) but what is underneath I guess looks more matte and what seems to be rust spots. I just don't know how in the world or why this would be sold at all by X-pole if this is the outcome after only 3 uses. I would say I'm a "sticky" person so my personal grip is not the issue. I didn't need the extra grip from brass I just figured it would be a good way to practice longer holds. I just figured out how to upload a picture here! Maybe this is easier you can see the finish looks like it was simply wiped away and I can only guess that the spots are rust. There are still some spots that are the main finish that are fine (but the whole thing should be like that the way I bought it right??). The first day I used it was great but now there's no way I guess I will have to call I was just hoping for a magical quick fix I didn't know about :(
Dancing Paws · 10/31/2013
It's hard for me to tell, but is this what it looks like? https://www.studioveena.com/photos/view_photo/4f38719e-1834-4f0f-90cf-50880ac37250 My brass pole gets this raised greeny residue that I wipe away and it reveals a lighter yellow color. It's the nature of brass. It has copper in it and copper can oxidize away. Brass patinas into a darker browny color. Usually it happens more evenly, but since we are touching the pole a lot, it happens in patches.
Tigerschic041721 · 10/31/2013
OMG I think it is what you call red rot! It is not the green patina you have mentioned it is definitely an orange/pink color with silvery/blackish "pits" that I thought were rust. Does this mean it is un-fixable? It is on the entire usable portion of the pole (minus a few splotches that are still the high shine brass) but there is absolutely zero grip because of this "rotting." I am so disappointed I feel like I was duped by X-pole :( when I first received it I noticed scratches but decided to overlook that for the fact I was excited to use it. I do remember yellowish spots showing up right after but there was still extreme grip (so only cosmetic I figured I'll overlook that too) and now it is this pinkish rot that not even the stickiest of stickiest person could use. I saw a video posted by X-pole on how to "makeover" an old brass pole with polish but it seems like this is a different issue. Even then it seems extreme to have to use all that equipment every time I pole but at least I'd be able to use it. Do you know of anything that can be done for this rot? I don't feel that I've done anything to the pole to make this happen - I'm generally not a complainer or someone who freaks out but yes this is making me freak because of the price tag on something I can't use now and not enough info posted by X-pole for this situation. Anyway I will give them the benefit of the doubt and hope they will help since I have emailed them (I recall contacting them by phone was extremely difficult before). And also thank you for all of your help so far!!!
Webmaster · 10/31/2013
Have you contacted X-Pole about this yet?
Tigerschic041721 · 10/31/2013
Yes I sent them an email since I've had much trouble contacting over the phone previously. Any solution they provide I will update here in case someone else has this problem now or in the future!
Nadia X Pole · 10/31/2013
X-Pole has great customer service, go ahead and shoot them an email at [email protected] or call 818-255-1888. X-Pole always makes sure the customer is happy! PS. i have a brass pole… great on my hands but on my dry legs, not so much, everyone has a different stick with the brass. One of my students complained that it was too sticky on her legs… lol!! Either way I am so sure X-Pole will sort it out :)
Nadia X Pole · 10/31/2013
I wanted to share with you this is Nadia Sharif. I now work for X-Pole and they specifically brought me on board because they know I am fully aware of all pole dancing/dancer issues. The X-Pole office has several people answering phones all day long, so its hard to believe you called and didn't receive an answer. X-Pole does not monitor StudioVeena… so if you have a question or comment please call or email X-Pole, you can even email me personally at [email protected]. We will happily sort this out :)
chemgoddess1 · 10/31/2013
Nadia my geeky goddess! Good to see you hear and wonderful news that you are with XPole.
Dancing Paws · 11/1/2013
Definitely send pictures to x pole. I think they would do something to remedy the issue. As for the red rot, no, nothing can be done. I think the pink spots are pretty normal. I went to a studio locally and saw their brass poles had the same marks.
michaelaarghh · 11/1/2013
Brass is quite a 'dirty' looking metal...tbh I think the photo looks normal, (based off what the poles at the studio I go to look like). 'Red rot' is the degradation of the alloy in the metal itself, and based on photos on google images, and from what i've seen from brass instruments at school, it doesn't really look like red rot on your pole at all. But if you're concerned, send some photos to xpole, keep trying to get through them on the phone. They have excellent customer service. I had a few issues with my pole recently and they were more than helpful. Let us know how it goes!
Polefanatic678 · 11/1/2013
That's similar to how my pole looks and it still works fine.. It's just how brass goes.. I have good and bad days on brass depending on humidity, my skin etc
X Pole Tech · 11/2/2013
Brass will tarnish with time, it reacts with air and humidity and oil/sweat from hands/bodies during use. The Poles at our UK studio need regular TLC. There is nothing that we we know of that can stop it tarnishing. As per our UK web site video (which you have seen) the best way, we have found, to keep them looking great is to re-polish them using a car finishing compound if they start to tarnish. This can be done purely by hand (but it's hard work!) or using a small hand polishing machine. You can also take your pole tubes to a car body shop/re-spraying place and they can often do it for you using their polishing machines (like the one Abbie is using in the video). The higher the polished finish the greater the grip. X-Pole now has a specially designed, purpose built, polishing machine at our production facility which gets a really hi polish on all the pole tubes so it is surprising to us that you received it like this or that this has happened in such a short time. Did it arrive like this?? Please let us know. It would be useful to know when you purchased your Brass pole and also the serial number - that is the small white label with letters and numbers on the flat plate of the upper dome If you are still having problems please contact the US office who will be glad to help. X-Pole Tech Team