Pumpkin gasket advice

[feverDream]

thought I'd start a new thread instead of piggybacking on a dead one that wasn't specific to this question. Had a bad leak on the pumpkin side of the rear axle, figured I'd toss in a locker while at it. Getting ready to button it up and upon cleaning the surfaces I noticed the PO decided to hammer a flathead into the seam to split the halves. Needless to say there's some pretty good gouges on the face. Thinking I'm going to want to address that with the following choices:
A) RTV alone?
B) OEM paper gasket
Or
C) RTV with the gasket (rtv on the badly gouged side? Rtv on either side of the gasket)?

Don't want to have to go back in if I make a bad decision but I'm not sure if there's tolerances that may get wonky from too many layers of prevention. I'm guessing I could have the face machined but I may be overthinking things.
Any advice is appreciated.

 

[duncanrm]

deleted

 

[toy_tek]

A pic might help, not sure what you’re considering as serious damage.

To recondition the mating surfaces, you can file the mating surface(s) flat. Clean the area 100% of any oil using brake cleaner then dry thoroughly. Then apply some JBweld to the damaged area. Then after it sets up, file/sand it smooth to where the JBWeld only remains in the gouges (no humps or extra thickness on the flat surface). Then install per the OEM process.

 

[feverDream]

A pic might help, not sure what you’re considering as serious damage.

To recondition the mating surfaces, you can file the mating surface(s) flat. Clean the area 100% of any oil using brake cleaner then dry thoroughly. Then apply some JBweld to the damaged area. Then after it sets up, file/sand it smooth to where the JBWeld only remains in the gouges (no humps or extra thickness on the flat surface). Then install per the OEM process.

here's the 2 worst offenders. the first picture is the worst and of course it's located at 06:00. second picture is at about 11:00

 

[chptuls]

You should be able to hit it with some Emory cloth/sand paper and take care of it if that.
800 grit should do it then if you want it really smooth go up to 1500 or so.

 

[dbbowen]

dude thats not that bad. I normally use paper gasket lathered with Orange FIPG 00295-01281 on both sides, but this past time i did diffs i only used the FIPG alone and have had zero leaks

 

[feverDream]

You should be able to hit it with some Emory cloth/sand paper and take care of it if that.
800 grit should do it then if you want it really smooth go up to 1500 or so

I'm probably being waaaay too OCD! I may just use some universal blue but @dbbowen may have something with using the FIPG

 

[tmxmotorsports]

I'm probably being waaaay too OCD! I may just use some universal blue but @dbbowen may have something with using the FIPG

You are lol

 

[brian]

I never mess around with those cheesy paper gaskets...
Rtv and send it

 

[Spike Strip]

The OE cork gasket and FIPG will work well, but you'll curse the gods if you ever have to remove it, again.

A good alternative technique is to use the Black RTV and the cork gasket, THIN smear on all sides, and just finger tight the whole thing. Let cure for several hours to a day, then tighten to spec. Otherwise, the RTV just squishes out and you'll leak.

Or, Gaskasinch.

 

[toy_tek]

FIPG and send it