Residue on Cylinder Head

[Fonz54]

What is the best way to clean the residue off of the cylinder head? I am replacing the valve cover gasket and want to make sure this is clean as a whistle. I have seen some videos where they use brake cleaner and others where they use carb cleaner. Any suggestions? Have been gently scraping some of the heavier sludge with a razor blade.
Thanks,
Lou

 

[Steve Rodgers]

scrape with a sharp gasket scraper or the edge of a utility knife, be careful the scrapings go out, not in. wipe with lint free rag, you can use acetone, brake cleaner, zylene or other solvent.

 

[Fonz54]

scrape with a sharp gasket scraper or the edge of a utility knife, be careful the scrapings go out, not in. wipe with lint free rag, you can use acetone, brake cleaner, zylene or other solvent.

Thanks - any scraping so far has been out not in. Pretty tight in some areas. Will try the acetone since I have a quart can.