As per topic, has anyone ever removed the gutters from a T1 beetle? As in the water hutters that go accross the top of the beetle and down the back.

Also while im asking questions the lip inside the bonnet that holds the rubber seal in place is there a way to get rid of that and use some other type of seal?


Thanks in advance,
-Marc

Never removed the gutters myself, but I know two guys that have. Both it worked fairly well, but one came out better than the other (required less filler)... the main difference being the way they did it.

The way that worked the best was to do small sections at a time (about 4 inches) and sort of leap-frog along the whole length. Each section the gutter was cut/ground off then MIG'ed back up, making sure to get all the layers welded (I think there's 3 layers of steel there from memory). Then after it's cooled right down just leap-frog along to another section.

Was a huge amount of work, but once done and painted looked pretty sweet - particularly with fatter guards on like Aero's or similar.

Hi

There was a mega $ dark blue metallic Baja around a few years ago that had it, it looked great.

The gutters are a very important structural section so the joining must be 1st rate.

I heard of a Mini years ago that was completely taken apart, and the gutter re rolled so that they were inside and put back together.

You can remove the seal lip and use a Mexican rubber.

Steve

This Oval was at the Nationals this year with shaved gutters.

As Steve said,
You can buy Mexican type of bonnet and engine lid seals
they are rubber and just push onto the bonnet and engine lid lips themselves

the metal strips can be taken off...

its better to keep the top clip in place across the top of the boot as this rubber is needed or You can glue a pice of foam or rubber across the top
although i have seen where nothing is used across the top

this may be Ok unless You wash Your beetle...

Lee

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug 

the gutters as mentioned above are a very important part of the beetles roof strength..

they are not just rain gutters

the roof and sides are held together by the gutters...

so its an important part of the car

I don't really mind the gutters but the door hinges and the body join in front of the doors [like the gutter]
I don't like..
and after owning a type 3
You can see it could have been done a different way..


Lee

Is removing gutters from a kombi impossible ? because that bug is nice and smooth , and its a commen rust spot on the busses ,

i have made small channels in both corners at the back to let the gutters drain but just wonderin if its possible to go a step further ?

thx for the info guys.. i will take a look (need to find a doner beetle at a scar yard to play on will take pics if i do it and spred what i learn :P