Front quarter panel removal help please

[DrWong]

Can anybody advise on how the front quarter panels come off please?

I'm stripping the Z down to treat the inner chassis sills. Removed the indicator and four bolts holding the panel. It now feels loose, apart from the front bottom point where it attaches to the sill / arch. Picture of the offending stubborn bit:

Should the panel just slide backwards and come off? In which case does the door need to be fully opened? As I'm in a confined space so would need to take the car off stands and put wheels back on to drive out etc.

Apologies if this has been covered before. Did a search but couldn't find anything on this specifically. Most of the previous relevant posts just seem to say "remove the four bolts and remove the panel" (or words to that effect)

Thanks!

 

[DrWong]

Hmm, I think I know what the issue might be (and why my query might have seemed mental to others who have successfully done this)

Appears some muppet in the past has applied silicone at that point. Just in the process of cutting it away with a razor. Have no idea why they would’ve done that. It’s the white blob in the middle of the pic

 

[Mazza]

If all the bolts off then should just lift up and off.

Edit....
But then mine wasnt smothered in silicon........

 

[DrWong]

Thanks mate, I realise that’s the case now. Looks like it was some pretty major overspray of the factory seam sealer actually. Which makes me feel slightly better haha

 

[Mazza]

Glad its sorted

 

[Sean d]

Hmm, I think I know what the issue might be (and why my query might have seemed mental to others who have successfully done this)

Appears some muppet in the past has applied silicone at that point. Just in the process of cutting it away with a razor. Have no idea why they would’ve done that. It’s the white blob in the middle of the pic

View attachment 89066

That muppet was BMW, we get lots of panels like this

 

[DrWong]

I was going to write the muppet was BMW in my second post but forgot to haha

Is it the case that the doors have to be fully opened to remove the outer sills? Mine open about three quarters in my confined back yard but I can't seem to find the clearance to fully free the sill.

Resigned myself to taking the car off the stands tomorrow and putting the wheels back on so I can drive it out and fully open the doors. Then putting it back in my yard on stands to do the rust removal / painting etc..