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[VT-VX] HOW TO: Remove the garnish from a VT boot lid.

djdomohudson

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I was having a bash today at seeing if I could remove the garnish from the boot of my VT and I got it no worries at all. So if you're a bit DIY-shy, this should help a lot.
This guide is good for cleaning out all the muck behind there, and also for any mods you might want to apply to the garnish, such as painting it or whatever.

So here goes.

Step 1 Pop the boot and open it fully.
2012-09-26172216.jpg


Step 2 Identify four bolts. Two at either side of the boot lid near the edge.
2012-10-03122252.jpg

2012-10-03122303.jpg

Unscrew them and keep them in a safe place, like a plastic dish etc.

Step 3 Identify two smaller gold coloured bolts. They are just on the inside of where the plugs for your reverse light bulbs are. There is one on either side. Unscrew the nut until it comes off the bolt. The bolt is fixed to the outer garnish.
2012-10-03121347.jpg


Step 4 Identify four silver screws inside the boot lid. Two are more visible than the others. They are screwed into black clips. The first is the easiest to get at. I sat inside the boot and looked up at the lid from the inside. It is just to the right of the reverse lamp on your left in a trianglular hole.
2012-10-03122823.jpg


The next one is behind a little hole just left of the lock. You'll have to poke through a fairly skinny screw driver to get it out like so:
2012-10-03123127.jpg

2012-10-03123241.jpg


The third is behind a little hole to the right of the lock. Same again.
2012-10-03123337.jpg


The fourth is a pain because it is just beyond the metal lip. You can get to it with the screwdriver on an angle. If you can slacken it a few turns then the rest of it will come out with your hand.
2012-10-03123943.jpg

2012-10-03123817.jpg


Step 5 Disconnect the electrical plugs from the reverse lamp bracket.
2012-10-03121234.jpg


Step 6 You can now lift up the garnish. Stand next to the boot lid and lift it from one side. It should practically fall out. You'll then need to remove the registration plate globes by twisting their harness a quarter turn and pulling straight out.
2012-10-03121124.jpg


Then you will have your garnish free of the car. Take off your number plate then give it a good clean. Make sure not to get any water in or near your electrics.
2012-10-03113025.jpg

2012-10-03113053.jpg




NOTE: It may be wise to remove the reverse lamps from their sockets before you start man-handling the garnish


Reverse all of these steps to adequately reinstall your garnish after you're done.
Mad frogs.
 
Last edited:

Billtommo

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Bit late on this post but just wanted to say great easy to follow write up. I will definitely be using this in the near future.
 

djdomohudson

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Thanks mate! This will also help you if you're wanting to convert to a VX boot garnish.

The only extra step would be unscrewing that bottom panel from the boot lid by the several screws found behind it, as the VX boot garnish is the combined size.
 

timothy2

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i see that sum vt's have none of the lights that u just took of and they have sumthing else there pm me. can u pls tell me wat they are
 

Nut Kracker

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All VT's have that type, or similar garnish.
Calais etc, have a similar type of garnish to the standard one.

You may have seen VT's with a VX garnish like mine, that have no lights.
DSCN3497 (800x597).jpg
 

timothy2

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thats the 1 im looking for wats the average price for 1? and i have a key boot lock will it fit with that?
 

Nut Kracker

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I got mine from this seller on eBay. Genuine and new. All ready to paint.......VT VX Holden Commodore Boot Panel Garnish NEW Genuine Unpainted Cheap | eBay
Don't go after market, as they might not fit properly and the construction will probably be sub standard.

They don't have the key hole like the VT garnish, but I don't find that a problem, as the key fob can open it
and there is also a boot release button in the glove box.
 

jude0439

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thanks!

I was having a bash today at seeing if I could remove the garnish from the boot of my VT and I got it no worries at all. So if you're a bit DIY-shy, this should help a lot.
This guide is good for cleaning out all the muck behind there, and also for any mods you might want to apply to the garnish, such as painting it or whatever.

So here goes.

Step 1 Pop the boot and open it fully.
2012-09-26172216.jpg


Step 2 Identify four bolts. Two at either side of the boot lid near the edge.
2012-10-03122252.jpg

2012-10-03122303.jpg

Unscrew them and keep them in a safe place, like a plastic dish etc.

Step 3 Identify two smaller gold coloured bolts. They are just on the inside of where the plugs for your reverse light bulbs are. There is one on either side. Unscrew the nut until it comes off the bolt. The bolt is fixed to the outer garnish.
2012-10-03121347.jpg


Step 4 Identify four silver screws inside the boot lid. Two are more visible than the others. They are screwed into black clips. The first is the easiest to get at. I sat inside the boot and looked up at the lid from the inside. It is just to the right of the reverse lamp on your left in a trianglular hole.
2012-10-03122823.jpg


The next one is behind a little hole just left of the lock. You'll have to poke through a fairly skinny screw driver to get it out like so:
2012-10-03123127.jpg

2012-10-03123241.jpg


The third is behind a little hole to the right of the lock. Same again.
2012-10-03123337.jpg


The fourth is a pain because it is just beyond the metal lip. You can get to it with the screwdriver on an angle. If you can slacken it a few turns then the rest of it will come out with your hand.
2012-10-03123943.jpg

2012-10-03123817.jpg


Step 5 Disconnect the electrical plugs from the reverse lamp bracket.
2012-10-03121234.jpg


Step 6 You can now lift up the garnish. Stand next to the boot lid and lift it from one side. It should practically fall out. You'll then need to remove the registration plate globes by twisting their harness a quarter turn and pulling straight out.
2012-10-03121124.jpg


Then you will have your garnish free of the car. Take off your number plate then give it a good clean. Make sure not to get any water in or near your electrics.
2012-10-03113025.jpg

2012-10-03113053.jpg




NOTE: It may be wise to remove the reverse lamps from their sockets before you start man-handling the garnish


Reverse all of these steps to adequately reinstall your garnish after you're done.
Mad frogs.


Thanks so much for the detailed explaination and photos, I removed my broken one today and put on a new second hand one, couldn't have done it without you ! jude0439
 
Last edited:

Semi Driver

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Tnx for the detailed info.
I am thinking of putting lights behind the garnish hooked up to the park lights to illuminate at night. Plus I have dust inside my right reverse light. It'll give me an excuse to clean it up lol.
I have seen one in Queensland and it looked quite effective at night, but i think he (or she) had a florescent tube light mounted behind their garnish because there was a constant beam of light across the garnish.
 

Gazza62

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Thanks Mate
Worked a treat
 
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