Here's some stuff I've learned while trying to do that:
- 1) Settings for those panels are stored in ~/.gconf/apps/panel
2) field values are stored in "%gconf.xml" files. Subfolders represent hierarchy entries.
3) Editing manually (vim) is a pain in the ass. I've used "gconf-editor" instead.
You cannot delete keys using gnome-edit, you must delete the corresponding subfolders in the gconf file structure.
4) Removing key entries (folders) manually, still show up in "gconf-editor" - until next reboot.