How fast do titanium poles fade?

EagleSpirit started this discussion · 10/23/2010

I'm still deciding between brass and titanium and have finally made myself a pro/con list for each to try to settle the matter once and for all. They came out even but some of the pros for titanium are more important to me in my final decision: stronger material (I'm a klutz and can see myself accidently banging and denting a brass pole), don't have to polish it constantly to keep the tarnishing at bay and the pole looking its shiny best, etc. The big con for me is the fact the gold will probably fade with use. But I'm wondering how much use it will take...how long did it take for those of you who have titanium to notice fading?

10 replies

Jenn · 10/23/2010
Mine faded after only a few months of use. Only the areas where I gripped the most faded, so like around where I gripped to spin and the middle where I invert... so the pole kinda had a striped appearance. Not noticeable in video, but you could definitely see it in daylight. I have a brass pole now, and I love it! I don't see how you could really bend it, but with all the poles, I would be careful about scratches.
Veena · 10/23/2010
I have had mine for almost 11 months and it has not faded at all. ☀️
chemgoddess1 · 10/23/2010
OK...my geek side is coming out again. I am not sure how XPole actually colors the titanium or the grade of the titanium that they use in their poles. I do know that high grades of titanium are quite pricey. Assuming that they anodize the titanium it is going to depend on how long they leave the electrical current on the titanium (which determines the thickness). Basically the color is an oxidized state of titanium, similar to the chalky stuff you get on aluminum siding but much more permanently bound. Heat, humidity and the acid in your skin will wear away at this oxidation, so each and every person will have a unique wear time. I personally do not know why they just do no make a plain titanium pole...it will look just like the stainless ones but have a grip similar to brass.
Prncsopowr · 10/24/2010
Your geeky side makes me smile! It reminds me of when I go pointe shoe shopping and I use technical terms to describe how the pointe shoe is fitting certain parts of my foot - they just kinda all look at me like I am crazy! Its nice to see you love what you do 🙂
EagleSpirit · 10/25/2010
Thanks for your replies, everyone! Jenn, you had yours fade after a couple of months, and Veena, you haven't seen any fading after nearly a year...I guess it really is different for each individual. Chemgoddess, what you said makes sense. I love the gold color, but personally I'd rather have the plain silver that is offered in Australia because then I wouldn't have the aesthetic worry of color fading.
Glaminatrix · 10/25/2010
I have a 50mm chrome now and a 45mm titanium gold on the way. When i first read this I was a little dissapointed but in a way I kind of like to see my things looking used. Well not my shoes or anything like that 😂 but like my sketchbooks (not much else I can think of) I hope I feel the same way about the pole. Like I will look at it and say "I wore that pole down, with all my hard work, yes I did" 😁 Maybe I'm just strange haha But so the grip won't be affected right? Just the color?
onepinkprincess · 10/25/2010
The titanium X-pole at our studio has horrid grip & it feels bumpy now the gold has come off and no one likes to use it luckily we have just one which is soon to be replaced. It faded really quickly within a month or so we could see a differnce but it gets heavy use as it's in a studio. The grip initially was better but it really didn't last long. Cxxx
EagleSpirit · 10/26/2010
I forgot to ask: can the faded sections (I think they are the A & B poles) be replaced if/when the titanium fades? And is it very expensive to do so? I really wish I could make up my mind about what pole finish would be better for me. I have hyperhydrosis so I can be clammy at best and uber sweaty at worst. Titanium and brass would probably be a better fit than chrome or stainless, but it's so hard to make the final decision... 🤔
Jenn · 10/26/2010
I forgot to ask: can the faded sections (I think they are the A & B poles) be replaced if/when the titanium fades? And is it very expensive to do so? I really wish I could make up my mind about what pole finish would be better for me. I have hyperhydrosis so I can be clammy at best and uber sweaty at worst. Titanium and brass would probably be a better fit than chrome or stainless, but it's so hard to make the final decision... 🤔 I replaced the faded sections on mine, and it cost me $160 for new A and B poles. But this was the old style poles that screwed together so now the cost may be different. I was told by X-pole that the color fade did not alter the grippiness and I personally never noticed a difference in grip. I think brass is definitely the best as far as grippiness, but the TG came in a very close 2nd and was easier to care for then brass. I think either one will be good for you, but you just need to figure out which brand of pole you prefer. Which brass pole are you looking to buy?
EagleSpirit · 10/26/2010
I replaced the faded sections on mine, and it cost me $160 for new A and B poles. But this was the old style poles that screwed together so now the cost may be different. I was told by X-pole that the color fade did not alter the grippiness and I personally never noticed a difference in grip. I think brass is definitely the best as far as grippiness, but the TG came in a very close 2nd and was easier to care for then brass. I think either one will be good for you, but you just need to figure out which brand of pole you prefer. Which brass pole are you looking to buy? Oh, thank you for your reply! Now I'm extra glad that I asked because it's a relief to know that the A & B poles can be replaced. 🥂 That eliminates virtually the only problem that I have with choosing titanium over brass. The brass pole that I was going to buy was the Aradia Fitness brass removable pole. It looks very solid and well made, but it's static only. And I don't relish the thought of tarnish, polishing, the smell of brass (some days I'm very sensitive to smells), or the fact that it's such a soft metal. I really can see myself banging the brass pole in a doorway as I'm carrying it around from room to room because it's a one-piece pole. I think I'm leaning towards the titanium X-pole. It's so well known for being strong and reliable, and it has both spin and static modes. Most importantly, it should work just fine with my sweaty hands. Maybe I should quit thinking about it and just order it already! It's a Christmas present from my hubby. 🦌