W123 fender removal

[mark82]

Trying to pull a couple front fenders at the local JY. While all the bolts are removed there is a glue/caulk material inside the top edge all along the engine/fender seam which prevents the fender from coming off.

Any recs on how to cut/melt/remove that stuff? I've used an 18" long utility knife but didnt cut exactly where the seam is, so no go. Body shop guy said they usually wont bother trying to do it.