[sourdough]

Yes, I and many others have done so. Norco (BAL) recommended Zep 45 but it is difficult to find and expensive. Some are using a product from WD40 called Specialist dry lube or something like that. I've used several kinds. The use of a lube is simply due to a design not thought out IMO.

If you consider that the Darco (plasticized paper) is used to cover the bottom of the slide BUT it is supposed to "slide" over the wear bar....for eternity. Of course, it won't and will eventually wear or tear. That coupled with the reality that the long slides will probably eventually start to sort of bow with the ends as the main contact points as mine did (watch the Hidden Ridge video on the BAL Accu Slide) the Darco has no chance and we all have to come up with some ad hoc solution at some point.

Be very careful of what you choose to put on the Darc0/wear bar. When mine first started acting up and I took it to the dealer the first option was to grab the "slide lube" off the shelf at the dealership and liberally spray it under my slides. It was like brown goo, coated the Darco and wear bar and my slide almost stopped working due to binding. I, repeat I, had to take it home, thoroughly wash clean and dry the Darco and wear bar (which improved things a lot) then try to find a solution (uhmw plastic strips). All lubes are not the same and they are definitely not a permanent solution - just buy a case of whatever it is you choose.