Couple things I do on tips that seem dry. First thing is I always prime them before gluing. I spread a thin layer and let it dry and then sand it to glue. After I glue them and trim them I use some of the liquid wax tip burnisher to burnish the tip. Make sure to tape off the ferrule because some of these will stain them. Just my thoughts, seems like my lepro's tend to dry out and this is what I do for them and they shoot fine after words. Actually, I do this to all tips. Sometimes I even lick them before final gluing.