Any tips on cleaning the surface? Are there any chemical that could help? What is the definition of a "clean" mating surface?

 

just wipe it clean of any debries(sp?) from the surface with a shop rag. Once it's wiped clean install the new pump.

 

use a razor and scotch brite pads to clean the old gasket off.

 

umm...mine wasn't melted to the surface or anything. When I pulled my water pump off the gasket came off with it so I don't see why you would need to scrape the gasket off the surface. All I had to do was wipe the surface clean, I didn't have to scape anything off.