Rudder lines

Five years ago I replaced the tubes and Spectra lines in my 18X. In the last year the pedals started getting stiff. I assumed the tubes were getting worn again until I pulled the lines out with a string chaser. The line was "stiff". If you cut off a 4' section it would have stood up against a wall.
Put them in a bucket with soap and rolled in my hands till they became "supple" then tied up to dry with some tension.

The line has no fraying and appears to be in fine shape so tempted to reuse (not exactly cheap stuff). Bad idea? Is there any treatment that helps friction in tubes like teflon spray?

The stiffness was likely salt so more frequent hosing out of tubes may be in order, just curious if other tips on topic.

Thanks!
Bob

After each paddle I hold a pressurized hose nozzle (garden hose) against the rudder line tubes at the rudder well till water squirts out into the foot well.
Haven't had any problems with 3 mm Spectra type lines. Easier with not having cover permanently attached at rudder well.
I hope this information is useful and doesn't offend anyone.

I'm offended! You mean I have to go through this extra step of flushing the rudder line tubes each and every time???!!!

No offense taken...I promise to hose out more often....
I changed them out anyway with this line that I use on my skis:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0776ZZ2BD/ref...ilpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Much better now and the old stuff is good camping line