It does not look shiny to me either! What I like to do is make sure both surfaces are clean. You can tape a piece of sand paper to a flat surface such as a piece of glass or a counter top. Squirt some water or wd40 on the sand paper and rub the cylinder head on it. Make circular motions and keep the head as flat as possible. It will clean and flatten the surface quickly. A new head gasket never needs sealer but as used one might. Use some 220 wet and dry sandpaper.
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