Replacing body panels - what is the right sequence?

[mitja1303]

Hello to everyone, i have a 1973 Super Beetle with a lot of rust an looking for help. I have to replace both front side panels, heather channels and cross panel. What would be the right or the best sequence to start replacing this panels? Thanks for help!

[Mike Fisher]

I would take all 4 fenders off of it, so you can see all the damage. If it's rusty around the windows, then the windows have to be removed too. Leave the doors on it while you weld in new heater channels. Cut out the rusty sections with a sawzall & angle grinder. Search/find/buy/ship solid used or new replacement panels to butt weld into it with a MIG welder with shielding gas.
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69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold

Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey

[mitja1303]

Maybe we didn't understand right. Car is allready stript down and sandblasted. Front Panels are beyond reparable and need to be replaced. I have allready bought all the parts i need for restoration and now looking for the right way where to start. Should i start with heather channels or front quarter panels?
MIG welding is not a problem for me i allready restored one super beetle before.

[CiderGuy]

Post some pictures, they usually work better then words.
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Cars Currently Owned:

1970 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1973 Karmann Ghia Coupe - Project car for sale
1970 Karmann Ghia Convertible (Body off restoration)

Timing is everything

[theKbStockpiler]

Do you have a super bettle, 1303?

I would do the heater channels either first or last and spend the time making sure that the door opening is perfect. It should be easier to disassemble both the wheelhousing and the firewall at the same time.

I would intuitively do the firewall first ,then wheel housings and the heater channels last but I have never done it.
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My beetle is not competing with your beetle. I have the yellow beetle in my town. There is a red one, a green one ......
Use all safety devices including a mask.

[mitja1303]

Yes it is a 1303s super beetle.
Here are all the Panels and parts i have to replace. Where should i start?

[theKbStockpiler]

I think you just want to show off your repair panel collection and your pavers.
_________________
My beetle is not competing with your beetle. I have the yellow beetle in my town. There is a red one, a green one ......
Use all safety devices including a mask.

[Mike Fisher]

I think he's just scared to get out the sawzall & angle grinder and start cutting out the rusty metal? If you intend to replace the entire panel, then drill out the spot welds with a 'spot weld cutter' drill bit to take the whole panel out in one piece? It does not matter which panel you replace first.
_________________
https://imgur.com/user/FisherSquareback/posts
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold

Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey