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We are getting ready to replace the front and rear quarter panels on a 71 beetle.
We finally got the new heater channel in place, cut and trimmed the panels to fit.
if you look here
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/Detai ... 11809085CA
you can see where the lower part has a lip that sits over the lip of the heater channel. should we drill holes on the lower part in mimic the original spot welds or just weld along the seam. I think that makes sense?????
DWP

I drilled the holes and welded them in. Prior to this I also cut and dollied the weep holes in this area.
It wasn't just to mimic the original but to allow moisture to drain out and not get trapped.

Initially welding the seam on the bottom will work, but in the long run it might not be so wise to create
a trap for the moisture.

'bugss~

spot welds are alot stronger than stitch welds, there's not much strength in sheet metal and stitch welding the edge will be weak and eventually tear if there's much vibration and or flex, and cars flex alot more than you would think

Thanks for the info, We drilled a series of holes about where the original spot welds were and welded them in. No problems.
Welding the butt joint was another problem. Quick weld here and there, cool down, grind, weld again.
DWP