It appears that the teflon solution works! You can (usually) get sheets of teflon from gasket-making companies. This material is used frequently to make gaskets/seals for pipe-joints, etc. I got mine from such a company -- they gave me a bunch of left-over/scrap sheets at no cost.

I saw your posting. I can envision the problem with the paddle switches -- but have not suffered that ... yet. If you are mechanically inclined -- turn the unit over -- make sure that you support it properly to avoid damaging the tone-arm and its bearings -- and examine the entire link system associated with the switches. It might be necessary to remove a shield -- especially the one over the phenolic wafer that has the grounding-switches. Manipulate the paddles and look for any type of mechanical latching mechanism that might not be activating -- maybe a spring is missing or a piece of something is bent or broken-off or something needs to be lightly lubricated. I do not have the manual so I cannot direct you to specific things -- and I really do not want to turn my unit upside-down any more than I have to ...

The arm lowering mechanism on mine did not work and I discovered that the problem was caused by old grease. A little cleaning and some liquid WD-40 (injected from a syringe with a fine needle) solved that problem. Because the TTs are now over 40 years old, you can expect to find that many problems are caused by deteriorated lubricants. Cleaning and re-lubing in recommended -- just don't get anything on the idler-wheel or on the TT inside rim.

Let me know if you solve your problem.

Regards,
Dan