Is cutting off the excess RTV off asking for trouble?

[1998yellowstang]

I finally got around to installing the new upper oil pan for my VQ35DE. I am also cleaning the motor and painting it. Since I am spending so much time on cleaning and painting the motor, I was wondering if I let the RTV cure for about 72 hours, would it be ok to cut the excess out very gently with a x-acto knife? Or is that a terrible idea?

I read on other forums of people cutting the excess off and they said it caused leaks. ANY insight would be greatly appreciated!

[evildky]

If the RTV is set and cured properly and cut off cleanly and not pulled out it should pose no trouble to cut off. if cutting it off turns to a leak it wasn't sealed properly in that spot and cutting it off only exacerbated the leak. That being said, once the engine is in, you will never see that RTV again, not worth the trouble IMHO.