Slide out rubber seals grabbing, silicone? Armorall?

[Lonestar]

If it's worth anything, the "shoe" tracks on mine get cleaned on a regular basis and then get wiped down with a clean rag pre-sprayed with PTFE. So far, so good. YMMV.

Good explanation. I feel you are on the right track (pun intended), especially if you have had no trouble with the slide. I'm going to pick up some PTFE.