In MT, I run into this a lot. I have used Stanley's Ice Off and Chap Stick both. They both work to a certain extent but I believe you are fighting a losing battle. The ice WILL WIN. I didn't feel that one worked better than the other. The only difference was Ice Off was $8.00...and chap stick was $.96.

I worried that submerging the graphite rods, then exposing them to cold air might make the rod more brittle. I know my fingers feel that way...lol.