I clean the guard with acetone, really nail polish remover without the added scent. I have had this drive me nuts in the past and what I have taken to doing is soaking a small rag, small so it can fit in a sandwich size ziplock bag. I put it into two ziplocks and keep it in my fanny pack for just such an emergency. It usually lasts all season. Deer don' t seem to smell silicone spray. I also spray all of my hunting arrows every so often and wipe them clean. That way, I don' t have to find out that my arrow has developed a swish or a sqeak as it is drawn.

Just my ideas.

Greg