Water pump gasket

I drag a water pump gasket between 2 fingers loaded with a bit of RTV. Just enough to change its color, make it sticky. And I'll put a little RTV in any bolt threads. All just for insurance. Even those dry hole bolts will need to come back out someday. Yes there are other chemicals, anti seize compound for example, more proper, work better, but.. the 1 tube of something, RTV, works for me in most cases. Better than nothing at all.
It's not that I don't have the anti seize, etc.., here. I'll go to the shelf and get it for exhaust manifolds and wheel studs. My way of doing things/"method to the madness", hasn't bit my old *** yet Good luck with it.