Troy
Heres something you can try, to simulate cosmoline I tried the Eastwood stuff, like you found it doesn't dry, so I tried other products & found Krylon battery corrosion spray, it lays down semi transparent, with a yellow/brownish appearance, by recoating you can darken the part as desired, it drys completely, its acid proof I did it over ten years ago & it held up well for the first six or seven years but in the last few I used a more aggressive cleaner on the frontend & it lightened the color some, if I really cared I could recoat it, but I really just drive the car anymore & while I keep it up pretty good I don't sweat those type of details much..