Fender and quarter panel hemming removal

[hj9]

Hello I am in the process of completing some metal work. I have an old but new to me set of fenders that require some patching. I need to remove what's left of the existing fenders from the shell of the car without causing damage. What is the best way to open up the hemmed edges?

Thanks.

 

[eriknetherlands]

The edges are just folded over. No welds of glue were used in the factory. If you have split the fender (I think you have based on your pics), then it must be possible to slide them off from the panel over which they are folded. If you don't need to save your fender, then chopping it up in little pieces makes it easier.
Attached a pic of the same joint, but then on the rear quarter panel, left side of car. I split the skin with an angle grinder, and the little inside corner just breaks after folding it 10 times.

There may be other ways to do it, but this at least worked for me, and it retains the original shape in the panels you want to keep.

Regards,

 

[autokunst]

There used to be a user contributed resource about fender replacement. I don't see it in the tech section anymore, but here is the PDF. I don't know that it actually addresses your questions, but maybe some other useful info?

 

['69 2800cs]

I did the same as Erik details. Once the other welded areas are cut, the folded over out skin just slides off.

 

[m_thompson]

There used to be a user contributed resource about fender replacement. I don't see it in the tech section anymore, but here is the PDF. I don't know that it actually addresses your questions, but maybe some other useful info?

I should update that PDF with more details and more pictures.