That sounds like i really great idea.

I use a fork seal puller and a piece of wood on the aluminum to spread the stress. The Yamaha service manual shows that method and it works. Some are tougher than others. Never had to soak or heat. Started doing my own a handful of bikes ago after the cycle shop broke one of my polished ones for a restoration.

Many ways to get them out. I do what YamFan does only i use one of those single handle hacksaw blade holders with a good short balde. There is room to cut almost thru the metal frame of the seal without touching the fork housing. Doesn't take but a few minutes and the seal buckles in with a screw driver and comes right out.