Minn Kota Shaft Issue

I have a Minn Kota Power Drive V2 with I Pilot and on my last trip I had a heckuva time getting it to deploy. I have checked the shaft and it is not bent or damage. It seems there's some type of chalky oxidation on it. I sprayed silicon lube on it and that did not help, nor did spraying it with Kroil.


To get it loose enough to deploy, I had to smack the motor housing with a rubber mallet to get the shaft to release.


Any thoughts as to how I can fix this without using the mallet?


Thanks

Here is what Minn Kota says. Just a moment... I personally use Nano Wax. Robot or human?

Clean it really well. Have you been In brackish water?