Drip Rails, Rain Gutters, etc. How to separate?

[Robertzep]

I am replacing the driverside front quarter panel on my 1968 Standard Beetle. How does one separate, unfold, or deflange the drip rail? I want to carefully remove the old quarter and be able to refold the metal from the A Piller to the new quarter panel. Anyone have experience with doing this? An explanation with pictures or video would be great! I found this tool that the VW shops used, but it seems excessive and I would have to have it made.

I see restoration threads where they change whole front clips. They just don't seem to show how they dealt with the drip rails.
Any advice would be appreiciated!

[Robertzep]

OK, I found this:

Strange thing is I found this through a Google search, not the forum's search??? Anyone have a tool or has made a tool for doing this? Are there some commercially available tools on the market?
Anyone done this and like to share your methods, pictures, or insight?

[Beata]

I think that the Bugme video shows how to replace the lower part of the fender well and folds back the rain gutter while doing it.
Note that the gutter is spot welded at regular distances. To open it you have to drill the spot welds before unfolding. Use a sand paper to remove the paint. The spot welds will then be visible as dents where the paint has not been sanded away.

[Robertzep]

Beata, Thanks for the insight! I'll look through the Bugme Videos for that segment. Looking at the pictures from the Bentley Manual, I see what your saying about the spot welds being at a regular distance. I am being cautious, and doing my homework to save myself any mistakes. My bug is really in pretty good shape; I'm just fixing the sins of previous owners.
Thanks!

[Robertzep]

Here are some pictures that show why I chose to replace my front left quarter panel!

These cracks were my first indication that I had my work cut out for me.

I think that is a tad too thick!

What a mess! Scalloped! I think the PO had trouble removing the fender and beat it into submission. Inch thick bondo hides everything. URGH!

A dollar priced 5 in one paint tool from Harbor Freight makes a great panel separator!

Its popping the panel out of the fold, yet not spreading the pinch.

I plan to heat and spread the fold after the quater panel is removed. It should make it easier to fit the new panel.

[Chickensoup]

[john_aero]

i know an old topic

but foranyone looking for help or info here is how i did it

1 - Heat and clean all the paint and sh1t from the seam

2 - use a small screwdriver a hammer at bottom to find the seam. then move onto bearing seal tool.

3 - if cant the next option is a bearing seal removsal tool. cheap and very usefull

4 - with seal tool, use curved side to "pick" the edge of the seal until it gets under it.

5 - Once find the seam and get under horixontal to she seam. Then use the seal too to open it slighlty like a tin can at a 45degree angle and work up or down

6 - it will take small bites up and down to get seal out even and with no damage. when do first pass or two, use the flatter side of tool to open it more

7 - once open i use a flat plate vice grips to bend it fully open

8 - hammer and dolly plus heat will flatten it out ready fro re sealing

9 - SLOW is key, dont try to open it fully. and HEAT is key to ensure dont crack the steel