My SLX is now three years old and still works like new. I have washed the sections during this time I suppose four times.
In one of the strip downs I repainted the ends with blaze orange car paint and with the latest clamps which are easily adjusted there is know problem with section grip. As for the black hand problem, for the last year I have used old fashioned (silicone free) furniture polish worked into each section it seems to seal the surface of the pole and smells really good.
Well done Alex.