goldvenom2809 started this discussion ·
Hi everyone, I've recently just purchased a new 45mm stainless steel pole and it is so squeaky clean that it makes it hard to grip onto! I slide straight down when I sit on it. How can I improve this and make it dirtier?!
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I have a stainless steel 45 mm also and it is slicker than snot. I have not found a way to dirty it up, and I have tried many of the suggestions on here. I've steam cleaned it. I've cleaned it with alcohol, vinegar and Windex. I've tried shaving cream for grip and have tried multiple grip aids. Unfortunately it became exponentially more slippery once winter rolled around and the humidity in my house dropped. I have tried running a room humidifier. The only thing that really helps me is that it gets very slightly better once I am warmed up and the pole is warmer but still not enough that I can grip with thighs or kneepit. The only way I can grip with thighs or kneepit is liberal use of iTac2. I don't have a problem with hand grip--just the rest of my body. I am considering having a whole house humidifier installed at some point.
I had stainless and always cleaned with rubbing alcohol and use Cramers firm grip on the pole directly if needed...
I have a few-months-old stainless steel pole, too, which has gotten EXTREMELY slick in our New England winter weather. I've had some success using pure aloe, and using shaving cream and hairspray. But the surprise winner for me is poling after a really hot shower or bath -- I stick like glue.
Stainless must be properly warmed up. The only way to do that is to a) touch it a lot, do spins etc (friction warmth), or b) use a steamer or heater. A warm pole becomes grippier. You need to be warm. Sticky skin is grippy. If your skin is dry and cold, there will be no grip. Like Rocknangel said, you could take a bath beforehand as your skin will be moist and sticky after that. Grip aids can help: , itac, corn huskers lotion, etc
Also, I find that if my poles are "dirty" they are slicker. A clean pole is grippier.
Thanks everyone I sprayed my pole with hairspray and rubbed gripping aids all over it, it's gotten much better than it was before!
Goldvenom2809, how long ago did you spray it? Does that last? I might try it.
@Palace, I sprayed it just after I read these tips so about a week ago now. It has been effective so far, just pat in the hair spray rather than wipe
