lanolin and wire

[walkingstaff]

I would like to seize a hook on a backstay. According to your book I should first treat the wire with lanolin to prevent deterioration of the wire. The senior rigger at a yard I reasonably trust claims that the lanolin will hold 'crud' on the wire and cause more harm than good and says I'm better off just seizing the hook on the wire with no treatment.
I'm wondering if there is 'new revealed knowledge' here, or what's up? (Seems that in all fields the acknowledged experts seem to disagree on some items but for those of us in the trenches this can be bloody confusing!)
Thanks,
Pete (walkingstaff)