I'm surprised that worked, I just assumed that these were falling apart internally.

Most (maybe all) of the cleaners the electronics stores carry will "clean" away all the lubricant as well. The airplane mechanics use this stuff called ACF50 that is the best cleaner I've ever used, and lubricates and coats again future corrosion.

The same company (Lear Chemical) also make a similar stuff called "Corrosion Block" that I use on the pots and encoders on my new products to protect them from chlorine gas. It's about the same stuff, but leaves a thicker coating.