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UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: colin bird on November 17, 2014, 07:05:48 pm

Title: Life expectancy of clx pole
Post by: colin bird on November 17, 2014, 07:05:48 pm
Thanks for reading,I purchased a clx 22 pole approx 6 months ago which I use as my every day pole.
I wipe the pole hose after each clean,I also periodiaclly rinse the pole by flushing water through the pole hose hole at the top of the pole (is this the correct way to clean the pole ?)
I have also had to lacquer the two top sections due to spinning,I have also noticed the red finish of the pole has worn off in one area on top section.
The pole is used on average between 5 -6 hours a day mon to fri
Is this normal wear ? Or am I not maintaining my pole correctly ? I feel I will be having to replace this pole in the next six months but will also have to lacquer top two sections again.
Any feed back appreciated especially from Alex.
Thanks again
Title: Re: Life expectancy of clx pole
Post by: Mick Kent on November 17, 2014, 07:08:31 pm
Sounds about right mate, a year from a budget pole used daily for 6 hours is good going.
Title: Re: Life expectancy of clx pole
Post by: SeanK on November 17, 2014, 07:10:43 pm
I thought the smart clamps stopped pole spinning for the life of the pole what's went wrong.
Title: Re: Life expectancy of clx pole
Post by: Jonny 87 on November 17, 2014, 07:12:31 pm
I've got a clx pole that is 3 years old and still like new? Only gets used part time mind.

I also have a slx 25 still on the original clamps that is 4 years old and used every day. That looks like nearly new. No spinning sections at all and loads of adjustment left in the clamps.

Do you ever strip the pole down and clean it or put a dry ptfe spray on it?

I rinse the pole out every day at the end of my shift usually, and then once a month I strip all the sections down, clean them with warm soapy water, and then spray on the dry ptfe.

Look after your equipment and they look after you.

 ;)
Title: Re: Life expectancy of clx pole
Post by: p1w1 on November 17, 2014, 07:19:51 pm
i think thats good going..all i do is wipe the pole hose after every clean cant be bothered with all this lacquering poles stripping them down etc dont see the point on an every day pole, there cheap enough anyway
Title: Re: Life expectancy of clx pole
Post by: SeanK on November 17, 2014, 07:21:01 pm
Budget pole has nothing to do with wear, my old xtel fibreglass was over 4 years old when retired in working order.
My CLX18 is going on 3 years old and is still like new.
Do you support the weight of the pole when retracting that helps reduce pole wear.
Did you allow the sections to spin before tightening the clamps this is the biggest cause of top of the pole wear.
Title: Re: Life expectancy of clx pole
Post by: 8weekly on November 17, 2014, 07:27:48 pm
Sounds about right. A year from a CLX.
Title: Re: Life expectancy of clx pole
Post by: colin bird on November 17, 2014, 07:30:31 pm
Budget pole has nothing to do with wear, my old xtel fibreglass was over 4 years old when retired in working order.
My CLX18 is going on 3 years old and is still like new.
Do you support the weight of the pole when retracting that helps reduce pole wear.
Did you allow the sections to spin before tightening the clamps this is the biggest cause of top of the pole wear.
yes and yes mate
Title: Re: Life expectancy of clx pole
Post by: colin bird on November 17, 2014, 07:31:48 pm
Sounds about right mate, a year from a budget pole used daily for 6 hours is good going.

yes mate but others say a couple of years at least just wondered if I'm expecting to much
Title: Re: Life expectancy of clx pole
Post by: colin bird on November 17, 2014, 07:34:11 pm
i think thats good going..all i do is wipe the pole hose after every clean cant be bothered with all this lacquering poles stripping them down etc dont see the point on an every day pole, there cheap enough anyway

Agreed don't mind £150 for a pole each year,maybe the others that get more time out of there pole are not on the glass for the same amount of time as me.
Title: Re: Life expectancy of clx pole
Post by: colin bird on November 17, 2014, 07:37:04 pm
Sounds about right. A year from a CLX.
thanks mate,I'm so glad my little pole isn't showing any signs of wear,otherwise I would've be in trouble,especially with my wife and multiple girlfriends
Title: Re: Life expectancy of clx pole
Post by: Alex Gardiner on November 17, 2014, 08:37:55 pm
Thanks for reading,I purchased a clx 22 pole approx 6 months ago which I use as my every day pole.
I wipe the pole hose after each clean,I also periodiaclly rinse the pole by flushing water through the pole hose hole at the top of the pole (is this the correct way to clean the pole ?)
I have also had to lacquer the two top sections due to spinning,I have also noticed the red finish of the pole has worn off in one area on top section.
The pole is used on average between 5 -6 hours a day mon to fri
Is this normal wear ? Or am I not maintaining my pole correctly ? I feel I will be having to replace this pole in the next six months but will also have to lacquer top two sections again.
Any feed back appreciated especially from Alex.
Thanks again


Pole life expectancy is greatly based on two key elements:

1. The way the pole is cleaned and maintained
2. The environment it is used in

Often the 2nd point cannot be controlled but the 1st can be. If it has worn the outer red layer off (through to the black carbon) in one area in just 6 months then it does sound like there is too much grit/dirt trapped between the layers. The pole user guide describes how to keep the pole clean and well maintained - http://www.gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/Telescopic%20Pole%20User%20Guide%202013%20-%20VII.pdf

If you want to send me some photos of this area then this would help me to asses better - alex@agardiner.co.uk

One point that is mentioned in the pole user guide, but is often overlooked is that the joint indicator tape and the base wrap of tape should be checked and replaced if worn every 2-3 months. This does have a great affect on the life of the pole and the wear. For maximum pole longevity it is worth taking the pole to pieces every 2 months to check overlap cleanness and the condition of this tape.
Title: Re: Life expectancy of clx pole
Post by: Bungle on November 17, 2014, 08:51:23 pm
So, basically, you ain't getting a freebie new one dude  ;D
Title: Re: Life expectancy of clx pole
Post by: colin bird on November 18, 2014, 05:14:16 am
So, basically, you ain't getting a freebie new one dude  ;D
lol nice one
Title: Re: Life expectancy of clx pole
Post by: H20cleaning on November 18, 2014, 08:13:56 am
Mines 15 months old and for the first 12 months i never PTF sprayed it.
Only cleaned it a hand full of times and the only section that looks worn is section 2.
Its the clx27 i use and tbh its a great little pole! Would never change it except for the slx 25
Title: Re: Life expectancy of clx pole
Post by: dazmond on November 18, 2014, 08:23:55 am
i sold mine to a local window cleaner last year.its still going!coming up to 3 years old with the old style clamps.

i only use extremes now.anything else just makes my everyday work harder than it needs to be.
Title: Re: Life expectancy of clx pole
Post by: gary999 on November 18, 2014, 08:45:09 am
Dazmondo we all know you use extreme poles...I just told the wife
just to make sure everyone was included ;D

I bought the clx27 in july good pole for money has made my day
easier without me losing the feeling of getting a workout.

I haven't cleaned it once ;D
Title: Re: Life expectancy of clx pole
Post by: Leeds on November 18, 2014, 10:40:23 am
I've got a clx pole that is 3 years old and still like new? Only gets used part time mind.

I also have a slx 25 still on the original clamps that is 4 years old and used every day. That looks like nearly new. No spinning sections at all and loads of adjustment left in the clamps.

Do you ever strip the pole down and clean it or put a dry ptfe spray on it?

I rinse the pole out every day at the end of my shift usually, and then once a month I strip all the sections down, clean them with warm soapy water, and then spray on the dry ptfe.

Look after your equipment and they look after you.

 ;)


what is the PTFE that you are using called? WD40 is a no no i've been told
Title: Re: Life expectancy of clx pole
Post by: H20cleaning on November 18, 2014, 12:16:45 pm
I've got a clx pole that is 3 years old and still like new? Only gets used part time mind.

I also have a slx 25 still on the original clamps that is 4 years old and used every day. That looks like nearly new. No spinning sections at all and loads of adjustment left in the clamps.

Do you ever strip the pole down and clean it or put a dry ptfe spray on it?

I rinse the pole out every day at the end of my shift usually, and then once a month I strip all the sections down, clean them with warm soapy water, and then spray on the dry ptfe.

Look after your equipment and they look after you.

 ;)


what is the PTFE that you are using called? WD40 is a no no i've been told
The PTFE i use is th WD40 one but its a dry lubricant rather than standard wd40