Civic EG

I replaced the head gasket because I suspect there was a very tiny leak. Temp gauge was rising sometimes and there was an oily film on the surface of the coolant when I drained it.
The Head gasket was in good shape, not sure what could have caused this. I did find a tiny gouge on the surface, on the top of the #3 sleeve, on the edge right beside the #2 sleeve. I don't know if this had anything to do with the possible leak or not. But that was while breaking in the engine NA, I'm putting the turbo on next so I want some extra insurance that it won't happen again.
Do you recommend using copper spray?

Are you using OEM Honda head gaaskets? Is your block o-ringed?

yes I'm using the OEM metal z6 head gaskets.

No the block was not O-ringed.

Hmm. You could try the copper spray. We used to use it on the cometic head gaskets when puttin a race motor together for my dads dragbike, that stuff always worked really well.

I would seriously reccomend cleaning the head surface if there is a gouge. Copper Spray can only do so much to prevent leakage from a scratch. You risk copper spray and have a chance of removing the head again or do it right and be a little less worried about it leaking due to uneven surface on the head.

I've used the spray on every single headgasket thats ever been installed on any of my motors.

i never had a problem w/ my cometic HG dry