use gasket sealer or dont use gasket sealer

Anearobics are for areas that do not have very rough surfaces, and will not have any exposure to oxygen. Normally things like transmission casing sections, stuff like that. Silicones need air to cure fully, and the normal paper and cork gaskets are porous enough for it to cure. I only use Ultra Grey, Ultraa black, or Ultra red, depending.
Stroker - I have used it in place of gaskets. but I end up needing a ton of it..lol. So I will normally just use the gaskets and silicone as "insurance". In terms of valve covers... I like the cork. I use 3M weatherstrip adhesive to glue the gasket to the clean, oil free cover surface, and then nothing on the head side. I've used the same set for two seasons before and routinely have the same ones on and off a dozen times without leaks. A Stock Eliminator racer taught me that trick. The single biggest cause of silicone leaking or breaking off and going through systems is oil on the surfaces. They must be oil free, that includes finger prints, fuel residue, carb cleaner residue, etc. I clean with brake cleaner, acetone, or laquer thinner.