I think that the intellegent life forms in drn land could share their gasket removal and surface prep techniques for my edification.
I am ready to learn some new tricks here and save some time.
I currently use a razor blade in conjunction with a snappy gasket scraper. After the chunks are off I use 180 sandpaper and scotch brite to create a plush fresh finish.
This is a timely process, is there a a better way?
I do what you do, SFO. Take it nice and slow. I start with a razor blade and finish up by wiping the contact surface with brake cleaner or some similar solvent and a clean, white rag until there is no evidence of anything 'cept a surgically clean mating surface.