Soap and water easily removes it from your fingers but you only need a tiny amt that should be rubbed onto wear areas. You can spray some Remington Remoil on a rag and wipe the exterior of the pistol down to give it a clean new look. I don't find the pistol to be slippery after that. As I previously said, I think, I began using it to eliminate wear to the relatively soft zinc slide and frame halves. And it worked. All you need is a thin, silvery coat on wear surfaces. Lightly applying with a clean Q Tip should not cause a mess. I don't even touch it as I apply it. Let us know how you like it. 1917