Debian packaging tools are numerous. They mostly build on top of each other.

Cowbuilder:

• Simple: pdebuild --pbuilder cowbuilder
• Extended: pdebuild --pbuilder cowbuilder --buildresult /var/cache/pbuilder/result-i386/ -- --basepath /var/cache/pbuilder/chimaera-i386/base.cow/

• Import new version via uscan: gbp import-orig --uscan
  • Still need to add a new dch entry
• Build with gbp buildpackage --git-pbuilder (--git-no-pbuilder-autoconf)

Especially on clean:

Simple edit the debian/rules Makefile and add an empty clean rule above the % rule