GMwifey started this discussion ·
I am not so patiently awaiting the arrival of my new pole, and I was thinking how do I break it in? I ordered a chrome sport btw. I tried to do a search but could only find bit s and pieces of a tip. Thanks
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What do you mean by breaking it in? It should just be ready to go. You may just have to practice on it to get used to the diameter or finish if it's different from a pole you usually use.
Saphyre ·
Hi GM. Yes, there are lots of posts about this. In a nutshell, the chrome pole comes with a protective finish on it that will make it slippery. This finish protects the pole during shipping. Some things that others have used to remove this coating are: Hot, soapy water (dishwashing liquid); Steam, using a clothes steamer or iron; Vodka (yup!); Any type of degreaser.----Make sure you wipe it with rubbing alcohol after using one of those methods. Also, make sure the cloth you use has not been washed or dryed with a fabric softener. I use a microfibre cloth. The pole may still be slippery for a while, but the more you use it the less slippery it will be. I got my X-Pole in April and it is still a bit slick. Make sure your body and the pole are nice and warm and above all, have patience! Have fun with your new pole! xoxo
Porshka ·
The X Pole instructions specifically say do NOT use water on the pole, so I would be careful about that. I thought it took a long time for the pole to not be so slick, but I don't really know. I have had mine for say, seven months or so, and it seems the same to me.
Its actually not untill theselast months my chrome has'nt been so slick, and its over a year old. I must admit to have used water to clean it, but it has given me no problem what so ever. But alcholhol is the best ive tried, im just lazy :D
Because of this discuss I tried today to cleam my 1 week old TG X-pole with hot water and some cleaner from the kitchen using a microfiber fabric. Then after I just cleaned it with a clean dry towel. This made a huge difference! Now it is not slippery at all!!!
Saphyre ·
Porshka, you are correct in that the X-Pole instructions say to never use water. Just to clarify, the soapy water is to remove the protective finish that is applied for shipping. I also use rubbing achohol for every day cleaning. However, it does seem to get a film on it on occasion, and once in a while I still use soapy water. I do not drench it. I put it on a cloth and wipe. I then follow immediately with alcohol, on a separate cloth to evaporate any remaining traces. In general, water is not good for chrome as it can cause rusting. It is better for a warning to be on the instructions than to say it's okay "if". You also want to be careful that water does not run into the holes of the pole where "A" and "B" attach. For that matter, you don't want any type liquid to get in there. Believe me, I want my pole to last as long as possible and I baby the hell out of it!
GMwifey ·
Thanks for the replies everyone. I just want my pole and it can take up to 5 weeks to get here, only 3 weeks left, hopefully. And yes, I want my pole to last me as long as I possibly can.
Oh man now I feel silly for the response I posted earlier... I totally forgot I had to clean off that slippery coating when I first got my pole! Oops!
clean it with rubbing alcohol, thats what i was told by x pole when i got my new brass! happy poling ;)
Cliche ·
I just got the Titanium Gold x-pole a week ago today and the only cleaner I've put on it so far is some white distilled vinegar. Works really well. But the grip on this finish is the best I've tried.
5 weeks for shipping??? Really??? I keep looking out the window waiting for the FedEx guy to deliver mine ... heck, I didn't know it would take that long. Thanks for this thread, by the way, really appreciate it.
Lots of cleaning the pole and lots of playing on it. The factory finish needs to come off and be replaced with your body oils. Also, handling the pole and doing lots of spins to work up a grippiness. Rubbing alcohol is really good for getting off grase and stuff.
There have been discussions about this and it is generally advised not to use vinegar on brass or titanium: https://www.studioveena.com/forums/view/4d617727-0b90-4e1c-948d-2e530ac37250
I've read mixed information (kinda) regarding brass and vinegar. It is advised as a use for taking off the patina, which is does mildy compared to brasso. On the other hand, if the brass has red rot, then vinegar can accelerate it. I don't think you are supposed to use it on any plated brass.
Since I didn't have any vodka handy and couldn't bear to use our good scotch, hehehe. I grabbed my thing of everclear, put some of a rag and cleaned my pole with it and boy did that make a difference. I could really feel the grippiness after I cleaned it.
Saphyre ·
Love it, Witchess!!
I can't remember if I read it in the instructions or the x-pole website but somewhere it said to use window cleaner so that's what I use! I've only had my pole a month or so and am only a beginner so still doing strengthening exercises and nothing exciting yet but it seems like that greasy film is gone? But I've never used a studio pole so nothing to compare to!
