Losing rear wheel lip for fatter tires??

I have heard of the bending technique for it as well....is that the basic way of going about it, by using a hammer and block? My car is getting painted soon too so I am not worried about that either.....cutting it off though does seem like a cleaner all around method of doing it though....rjsjea did you have to weld the seam in that lip together once you had cut off the 3/4 peice all around?