[PaulatFast]

Originally Posted by g68mike

I have several original cars with documented power trunk release and all have overspray on the portion sticking out and clean no paint on the upper half inside lid. I have pulled tons from salvage yards from Olds, Chevy Buick Cadillac Pontiac and all have overspray. These were installed before being painted at the assembly plant. As was previously mentioned the wiring was also installed before paint. I believe this was a popular convenience option and was added by many owners after purchase thus resulting in the un painted latches seen. To add the option, the wiring can be routed through the trunk lids, sometimes not easily, but can be done. Just like door hinges being installed to firewall and doors and door latches being installed into doors prior to paint, the trunk latch was installed into trunk as well trunk being bolted to hinges, resulting in clean bare metal underneath. Dont forget the assembly process already had body data plate assigned to VIN, confirming what options, paint etc were assigned to each car. GM would not install a incorrect part just to remove it and switch it back out, when already knowing what proper piece was going to be installed.
Heres a pic of a couple, note, where the paint stops is pretty much the same on all.

I only see overspray on one of those releases in your pic? I've never seen an original with paint on it. As far as the GTOAA Judging goes, no paint on the power release.