Stupid pre-buy questions

Thanks Dartnut! I'm about 99% certain I'm getting the car so torque wrench & shop manuals will be the first supply run!

Quick question, what's the best way to clean the manifold/head faces of gasket material? I've heard ppl "scraping" off but don't want to gouge. And read of ppl wire brushing or sanding creating deformations that make bad seal and introduce vaccuum and/or leaks.

Thanks so much.