RW is supposed to create a barrier keeping oxygen and water out. You wipe the excess off and give the finish a good polish. With sterling I've noticed that sometimes part of a piece will tarnish but the rest wont. I've assumed I've been too heavy handed in my polishing. Usually it's the areas that are most accessible that tarnish. The places that hard to polish don't get rubbed as much and stay clear. I think sometimes we wipe too much off and remove the protective layer so oxidation begins again. It doesn't help that is does have a funky smell. When we rub the smell away we take off the protective layer with it. That's why I stopped using it so much with jewelry. People don't like the smell on their person.

RW melts with light heat like from friction so it can run down into crevasses like wood grain. I would think it would coat the inside of the pivot and act as a lubricant. I can't say for certain though.

Lori