[Leica] Sticky rubber knobs, chest harness recommendation?

[boulanger.croissant at gmail.com (Peter Klein)]

Two questions for our collective expert mind.

1. My tripod ball head's adjustment knobs have developed "sticky rubber 
syndrome." So has the focusing ring on one of my lenses.? The ball head 
is particularly nasty. It leaves a sticky/oily residue on my fingers, 
which can then get on other things. Does anyone know a remedy for this?

2. Can anyone recommend a chest harness or other type of camera strap 
that spares my neck muscles when I'm out and about using a heavier 
lens?? I've read so many ads and reviews that I'm cross-eyed, but 
haven't yet seen "the one." Looking for the minimum amount of hardware 
to do the job comfortably.

Details re. the tripod:
I tried a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol (70% isopropanol). This 
appears to partially work, but only after several applications and 
considerable rubbing. Internet articles are contradictory regarding 
alcohol, Windex with ammonia, grease-cutting dish detergent, or a 
"Formula 409-type general purpose cleaner--some say use this or that, 
some say don't.

The tripod is a Dolica Proline GX 650B204. I got it using brownie points 
my former employer gave me for exemplary tech support. Those points were 
only redeemable at some general consumer Web site that sold off last 
year's goods. So the tripod was probably cheap and cheerful, but it's 
worked well for 12-odd years. The manufacturer's Web site now looks like 
that of a "company" that is selling off everything. I sent them a 
message, who knows if there will be a useful response. The tripod's ball 
head is "sold out."

if all else fails, I suppose I could just wrap the knobs with gaffer 
tape, or something similar but more permanent.

Thanks in advance!
--Peter