My old Tour Ultras had heels that were inconsistent.  Eventually I developed a bit of "dirt" on it and it was better.  Any time that dirt was removed I would stick.

As for the sole, I try to keep it somewhat clean, but today's soles aren't always leather.  Using a wire brush on a synthetic material screams short lifespan to me.  Maybe a light brushing, but nothing like I used to do to my Linds.

As someone else mentioned the soles seem very thin now compared to my old Lind's.  The only thing I do nowadays is to change out my homemade teflon pucks at the start of the season.  After that, I will occasionally check them out and replace them if needed.  So far, since Sept they are still holding up.