I always heard to put clove oil on a Qtip, insert the stick part with leaving just a little of the Qtip head up from the mix and this will deter the cats.
I like the water spray bottle idea..keeps him from getting there in the first place but the hot pepper sounds like it is a more permanent solution...would spraying hot pepper water at him be wrong? he he he....
Bannana peel flavor would be another idea worked on my sister for nail bitting... Good luck!