diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/apply/element.go b/pkg/kubectl/apply/element.go
index 8060552931b..44b90d85aad 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/apply/element.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/apply/element.go
@@ -76,33 +76,6 @@ type FieldMeta interface {
 	GetFieldType() string
 }
 
-// HasElementData contains whether a field was set in the recorded, local and remote sources
-type HasElementData struct {
-	// RecordedSet is true if the field was found in the recorded object
-	RecordedSet bool
-
-	// LocalSet is true if the field was found in the local object
-	LocalSet bool
-
-	// RemoteSet is true if the field was found in the remote object
-	RemoteSet bool
-}
-
-// HasRecorded implements Element.HasRecorded
-func (e HasElementData) HasRecorded() bool {
-	return e.RecordedSet
-}
-
-// HasLocal implements Element.HasLocal
-func (e HasElementData) HasLocal() bool {
-	return e.LocalSet
-}
-
-// HasRemote implements Element.HasRemote
-func (e HasElementData) HasRemote() bool {
-	return e.RemoteSet
-}
-
 // FieldMetaImpl implements FieldMeta
 type FieldMetaImpl struct {
 	// The type of merge strategy to use for this field
@@ -195,7 +168,7 @@ type CombinedPrimitiveSlice struct {
 
 // PrimitiveListItem represents a single value in a slice of primitives
 type PrimitiveListItem struct {
-	// Value is the value of the primitive, should match Recorded, Local and Remote
+	// Value is the value of the primitive, should match recorded, local and remote
 	Value interface{}
 
 	RawElementData
@@ -230,21 +203,27 @@ func (s *CombinedPrimitiveSlice) upsert(l interface{}) *PrimitiveListItem {
 // slice for either the local or remote, set on that value as the recorded value
 // Otherwise append a new item to the list with the recorded value.
 func (s *CombinedPrimitiveSlice) UpsertRecorded(l interface{}) {
-	s.upsert(l).Recorded = l
+	v := s.upsert(l)
+	v.recorded = l
+	v.recordedSet = true
 }
 
 // UpsertLocal adds l to the slice.  If there is already a value of l in the
 // slice for either the recorded or remote, set on that value as the local value
 // Otherwise append a new item to the list with the local value.
 func (s *CombinedPrimitiveSlice) UpsertLocal(l interface{}) {
-	s.upsert(l).Local = l
+	v := s.upsert(l)
+	v.local = l
+	v.localSet = true
 }
 
 // UpsertRemote adds l to the slice.  If there is already a value of l in the
 // slice for either the local or recorded, set on that value as the remote value
 // Otherwise append a new item to the list with the remote value.
 func (s *CombinedPrimitiveSlice) UpsertRemote(l interface{}) {
-	s.upsert(l).Recorded = l
+	v := s.upsert(l)
+	v.remote = l
+	v.remoteSet = true
 }
 
 // ListItem represents a single value in a slice of maps or types
@@ -299,7 +278,8 @@ func (s *CombinedMapSlice) UpsertRecorded(key MergeKeys, l interface{}) error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	item.Recorded = l
+	item.recorded = l
+	item.recordedSet = true
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -311,7 +291,8 @@ func (s *CombinedMapSlice) UpsertLocal(key MergeKeys, l interface{}) error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	item.Local = l
+	item.local = l
+	item.localSet = true
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -323,7 +304,8 @@ func (s *CombinedMapSlice) UpsertRemote(key MergeKeys, l interface{}) error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	item.Remote = l
+	item.remote = l
+	item.remoteSet = true
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -345,29 +327,97 @@ func IsAdd(e Element) bool {
 	return e.HasLocal() && !e.HasRemote()
 }
 
+// NewRawElementData returns a new RawElementData, setting IsSet to true for
+// non-nil values, and leaving IsSet false for nil values.
+// Note: use this only when you want a nil-value to be considered "unspecified"
+// (ignore) and not "unset" (deleted).
+func NewRawElementData(recorded, local, remote interface{}) RawElementData {
+	data := RawElementData{}
+	if recorded != nil {
+		data.SetRecorded(recorded)
+	}
+	if local != nil {
+		data.SetLocal(local)
+	}
+	if remote != nil {
+		data.SetRemote(remote)
+	}
+	return data
+}
+
 // RawElementData contains the raw recorded, local and remote data
+// and metadata about whethere or not each was set
 type RawElementData struct {
-	// recorded contains the value of the field from the recorded object
-	Recorded interface{}
+	HasElementData
 
-	// Local contains the value of the field from the recorded object
-	Local interface{}
+	recorded interface{}
+	local    interface{}
+	remote   interface{}
+}
 
-	// Remote contains the value of the field from the recorded object
-	Remote interface{}
+// SetRecorded sets the recorded value
+func (b *RawElementData) SetRecorded(value interface{}) {
+	b.recorded = value
+	b.recordedSet = true
+}
+
+// SetLocal sets the recorded value
+func (b *RawElementData) SetLocal(value interface{}) {
+	b.local = value
+	b.localSet = true
+}
+
+// SetRemote sets the recorded value
+func (b *RawElementData) SetRemote(value interface{}) {
+	b.remote = value
+	b.remoteSet = true
 }
 
 // GetRecorded implements Element.GetRecorded
-func (e RawElementData) GetRecorded() interface{} {
-	return e.Recorded
+func (b RawElementData) GetRecorded() interface{} {
+	// https://golang.org/doc/faq#nil_error
+	if b.recorded == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return b.recorded
 }
 
 // GetLocal implements Element.GetLocal
-func (e RawElementData) GetLocal() interface{} {
-	return e.Local
+func (b RawElementData) GetLocal() interface{} {
+	// https://golang.org/doc/faq#nil_error
+	if b.local == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return b.local
 }
 
 // GetRemote implements Element.GetRemote
-func (e RawElementData) GetRemote() interface{} {
-	return e.Remote
+func (b RawElementData) GetRemote() interface{} {
+	// https://golang.org/doc/faq#nil_error
+	if b.remote == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return b.remote
+}
+
+// HasElementData contains whether a field was set in the recorded, local and remote sources
+type HasElementData struct {
+	recordedSet bool
+	localSet    bool
+	remoteSet   bool
+}
+
+// HasRecorded implements Element.HasRecorded
+func (e HasElementData) HasRecorded() bool {
+	return e.recordedSet
+}
+
+// HasLocal implements Element.HasLocal
+func (e HasElementData) HasLocal() bool {
+	return e.localSet
+}
+
+// HasRemote implements Element.HasRemote
+func (e HasElementData) HasRemote() bool {
+	return e.remoteSet
 }
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/apply/list_element.go b/pkg/kubectl/apply/list_element.go
index d14161fa9a4..86be39ed1f4 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/apply/list_element.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/apply/list_element.go
@@ -22,10 +22,6 @@ type ListElement struct {
 	// FieldMetaImpl contains metadata about the field from openapi
 	FieldMetaImpl
 
-	// HasElementData contains whether the field was set
-	HasElementData
-
-	// ListElementData contains the value a field was set to
 	ListElementData
 
 	// Values contains the combined recorded-local-remote value of each item in the list
@@ -44,39 +40,28 @@ var _ Element = &ListElement{}
 
 // ListElementData contains the recorded, local and remote data for a list
 type ListElementData struct {
-	// recorded contains the value of the field from the recorded object
-	Recorded []interface{}
-
-	// Local contains the value of the field from the recorded object
-	Local []interface{}
-
-	// Remote contains the value of the field from the recorded object
-	Remote []interface{}
+	RawElementData
 }
 
-// GetRecorded implements Element.GetRecorded
-func (e ListElementData) GetRecorded() interface{} {
-	// https://golang.org/doc/faq#nil_error
-	if e.Recorded == nil {
+// GetRecordedList returns the Recorded value as a list
+func (e ListElementData) GetRecordedList() []interface{} {
+	return sliceCast(e.recorded)
+}
+
+// GetLocalList returns the Local value as a list
+func (e ListElementData) GetLocalList() []interface{} {
+	return sliceCast(e.local)
+}
+
+// GetRemoteList returns the Remote value as a list
+func (e ListElementData) GetRemoteList() []interface{} {
+	return sliceCast(e.remote)
+}
+
+// sliceCast casts i to a slice if it is non-nil, otherwise returns nil
+func sliceCast(i interface{}) []interface{} {
+	if i == nil {
 		return nil
 	}
-	return e.Recorded
-}
-
-// GetLocal implements Element.GetLocal
-func (e ListElementData) GetLocal() interface{} {
-	// https://golang.org/doc/faq#nil_error
-	if e.Local == nil {
-		return nil
-	}
-	return e.Local
-}
-
-// GetRemote implements Element.GetRemote
-func (e ListElementData) GetRemote() interface{} {
-	// https://golang.org/doc/faq#nil_error
-	if e.Remote == nil {
-		return nil
-	}
-	return e.Remote
+	return i.([]interface{})
 }
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/apply/map_element.go b/pkg/kubectl/apply/map_element.go
index 583429bb383..9fcd4e86b88 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/apply/map_element.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/apply/map_element.go
@@ -22,9 +22,6 @@ type MapElement struct {
 	// FieldMetaImpl contains metadata about the field from openapi
 	FieldMetaImpl
 
-	// HasElementData contains whether the field was set
-	HasElementData
-
 	// MapElementData contains the value a field was set to
 	MapElementData
 
@@ -48,39 +45,28 @@ var _ Element = &MapElement{}
 
 // MapElementData contains the recorded, local and remote data for a map or type
 type MapElementData struct {
-	// recorded contains the value of the field from the recorded object
-	Recorded map[string]interface{}
-
-	// Local contains the value of the field from the recorded object
-	Local map[string]interface{}
-
-	// Remote contains the value of the field from the recorded object
-	Remote map[string]interface{}
+	RawElementData
 }
 
-// GetRecorded implements Element.GetRecorded
-func (e MapElementData) GetRecorded() interface{} {
-	// https://golang.org/doc/faq#nil_error
-	if e.Recorded == nil {
+// GetRecordedMap returns the Recorded value as a map
+func (e MapElementData) GetRecordedMap() map[string]interface{} {
+	return mapCast(e.recorded)
+}
+
+// GetLocalMap returns the Local value as a map
+func (e MapElementData) GetLocalMap() map[string]interface{} {
+	return mapCast(e.local)
+}
+
+// GetRemoteMap returns the Remote value as a map
+func (e MapElementData) GetRemoteMap() map[string]interface{} {
+	return mapCast(e.remote)
+}
+
+// mapCast casts i to a map if it is non-nil, otherwise returns nil
+func mapCast(i interface{}) map[string]interface{} {
+	if i == nil {
 		return nil
 	}
-	return e.Recorded
-}
-
-// GetLocal implements Element.GetLocal
-func (e MapElementData) GetLocal() interface{} {
-	// https://golang.org/doc/faq#nil_error
-	if e.Local == nil {
-		return nil
-	}
-	return e.Local
-}
-
-// GetRemote implements Element.GetRemote
-func (e MapElementData) GetRemote() interface{} {
-	// https://golang.org/doc/faq#nil_error
-	if e.Remote == nil {
-		return nil
-	}
-	return e.Remote
+	return i.(map[string]interface{})
 }
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/factory.go b/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/factory.go
index a497b4cfcb3..7bd20c43530 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/factory.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/factory.go
@@ -48,14 +48,9 @@ func (b *Factory) CreateElement(recorded, local, remote map[string]interface{})
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	// Get the item for the type
-	hasRecorded := recorded != nil
-	hasLocal := local != nil
-	hasRemote := remote != nil
+	data := apply.NewRawElementData(recorded, local, remote)
 	fieldName := ""
-	item, err := visitor.getItem(oapiKind, fieldName,
-		apply.RawElementData{recorded, local, remote},
-		apply.HasElementData{hasRecorded, hasLocal, hasRemote})
+	item, err := visitor.getItem(oapiKind, fieldName, data)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -65,10 +60,8 @@ func (b *Factory) CreateElement(recorded, local, remote map[string]interface{})
 }
 
 // getItem returns the appropriate Item based on the underlying type of the arguments
-func (v *ElementBuildingVisitor) getItem(s openapi.Schema, name string,
-	data apply.RawElementData,
-	isSet apply.HasElementData) (Item, error) {
-	kind, err := getType(data.Recorded, data.Local, data.Remote)
+func (v *ElementBuildingVisitor) getItem(s openapi.Schema, name string, data apply.RawElementData) (Item, error) {
+	kind, err := getType(data.GetRecorded(), data.GetLocal(), data.GetRemote())
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -86,38 +79,23 @@ func (v *ElementBuildingVisitor) getItem(s openapi.Schema, name string,
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("expected openapi Primitive, was %T for %v", s, kind)
 		}
-		return &primitiveItem{name, p, isSet, data}, nil
+		return &primitiveItem{name, p, data}, nil
 	case reflect.Array, reflect.Slice:
 		a, err := getArray(s)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("expected openapi Array, was %T for %v", s, kind)
 		}
-		return &listItem{name, a, isSet,
-			apply.ListElementData{
-				sliceCast(data.Recorded),
-				sliceCast(data.Local),
-				sliceCast(data.Remote),
-			}}, nil
+		return &listItem{name, a, apply.ListElementData{data}}, nil
 	case reflect.Map:
 		if k, err := getKind(s); err == nil {
-			return &typeItem{name, k, isSet,
-				apply.MapElementData{
-					mapCast(data.Recorded),
-					mapCast(data.Local),
-					mapCast(data.Remote),
-				}}, nil
+			return &typeItem{name, k, apply.MapElementData{data}}, nil
 		}
 		// If it looks like a map, and no openapi type is found, default to mapItem
 		m, err := getMap(s)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("expected openapi Kind or Map, was %T for %v", s, kind)
 		}
-		return &mapItem{name, m, isSet,
-			apply.MapElementData{
-				mapCast(data.Recorded),
-				mapCast(data.Local),
-				mapCast(data.Remote),
-			}}, nil
+		return &mapItem{name, m, apply.MapElementData{data}}, nil
 	}
 	return nil, fmt.Errorf("unsupported type type %v", kind)
 }
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/item.go b/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/item.go
index 87cc7728c8c..e2642a760f4 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/item.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/item.go
@@ -33,7 +33,6 @@ type primitiveItem struct {
 	Name      string
 	Primitive *openapi.Primitive
 
-	apply.HasElementData
 	apply.RawElementData
 }
 
@@ -54,7 +53,6 @@ type listItem struct {
 	Name  string
 	Array *openapi.Array
 
-	apply.HasElementData
 	apply.ListElementData
 }
 
@@ -75,7 +73,6 @@ type mapItem struct {
 	Name string
 	Map  *openapi.Map
 
-	apply.HasElementData
 	apply.MapElementData
 }
 
@@ -96,7 +93,6 @@ type typeItem struct {
 	Name string
 	Type *openapi.Kind
 
-	apply.HasElementData
 	apply.MapElementData
 }
 
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/list_element.go b/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/list_element.go
index 0edfa0a8165..ed9a59dd2fa 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/list_element.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/list_element.go
@@ -47,7 +47,6 @@ func (v ElementBuildingVisitor) doPrimitiveList(meta apply.FieldMetaImpl, item *
 			MergeType: "merge",
 			Name:      item.Name,
 		},
-		HasElementData:  item.HasElementData,
 		ListElementData: item.ListElementData,
 		Values:          []apply.Element{},
 	}
@@ -57,32 +56,26 @@ func (v ElementBuildingVisitor) doPrimitiveList(meta apply.FieldMetaImpl, item *
 
 	// Locally defined items come first and retain their order
 	// as defined locally
-	for _, l := range item.Local {
+	for _, l := range item.GetLocalList() {
 		orderedKeys.UpsertLocal(l)
 	}
 	// Mixin remote values, adding any that are not present locally
-	for _, l := range item.Remote {
+	for _, l := range item.GetRemoteList() {
 		orderedKeys.UpsertRemote(l)
 	}
 	// Mixin recorded values, adding any that are not present locally
 	// or remotely
-	for _, l := range item.Recorded {
+	for _, l := range item.GetRecordedList() {
 		orderedKeys.UpsertRecorded(l)
 	}
 
 	for i, l := range orderedKeys.Items {
-		recordedSet := l.Recorded != nil
-		localSet := l.Local != nil
-		remoteSet := l.Remote != nil
-
 		var s openapi.Schema
 		if item.Array != nil && item.Array.SubType != nil {
 			s = item.Array.SubType
 		}
 
-		subitem, err := v.getItem(s, fmt.Sprintf("%d", i),
-			l.RawElementData,
-			apply.HasElementData{recordedSet, localSet, remoteSet})
+		subitem, err := v.getItem(s, fmt.Sprintf("%d", i), l.RawElementData)
 
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
@@ -111,7 +104,6 @@ func (v ElementBuildingVisitor) doMapList(meta apply.FieldMetaImpl, item *listIt
 			MergeKeys: key,
 			Name:      item.Name,
 		},
-		HasElementData:  item.HasElementData,
 		ListElementData: item.ListElementData,
 		Values:          []apply.Element{},
 	}
@@ -121,31 +113,25 @@ func (v ElementBuildingVisitor) doMapList(meta apply.FieldMetaImpl, item *listIt
 
 	// Locally defined items come first and retain their order
 	// as defined locally
-	for _, l := range item.Local {
+	for _, l := range item.GetLocalList() {
 		orderedKeys.UpsertLocal(key, l)
 	}
 	// Mixin remote values, adding any that are not present locally
-	for _, l := range item.Remote {
+	for _, l := range item.GetRemoteList() {
 		orderedKeys.UpsertRemote(key, l)
 	}
 	// Mixin recorded values, adding any that are not present locally
 	// or remotely
-	for _, l := range item.Recorded {
+	for _, l := range item.GetRecordedList() {
 		orderedKeys.UpsertRecorded(key, l)
 	}
 
 	for i, l := range orderedKeys.Items {
-		recordedSet := l.Recorded != nil
-		localSet := l.Local != nil
-		remoteSet := l.Remote != nil
-
 		var s openapi.Schema
 		if item.Array != nil && item.Array.SubType != nil {
 			s = item.Array.SubType
 		}
-		subitem, err := v.getItem(s, fmt.Sprintf("%d", i),
-			l.RawElementData,
-			apply.HasElementData{recordedSet, localSet, remoteSet})
+		subitem, err := v.getItem(s, fmt.Sprintf("%d", i), l.RawElementData)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
@@ -166,30 +152,30 @@ func (v ElementBuildingVisitor) doMapList(meta apply.FieldMetaImpl, item *listIt
 // replaceListElement builds a new ListElement from a listItem
 // Uses the "replace" strategy and identify "same" elements across lists by their index
 func (v ElementBuildingVisitor) replaceListElement(meta apply.FieldMetaImpl, item *listItem) (*apply.ListElement, error) {
-	result := &apply.ListElement{
-		FieldMetaImpl:   meta,
-		ListElementData: item.ListElementData,
-		HasElementData:  item.HasElementData,
-		Values:          []apply.Element{},
-	}
-	result.Name = item.Name
+	meta.Name = item.Name
+	result := &apply.ListElement{meta, item.ListElementData, []apply.Element{}}
 
 	// Use the max length to iterate over the slices
-	for i := 0; i < max(len(item.Recorded), len(item.Local), len(item.Remote)); i++ {
+	for i := 0; i < max(len(item.GetRecordedList()), len(item.GetLocalList()), len(item.GetRemoteList())); i++ {
 
 		// Lookup the item from each list
-		recorded, recordedSet := boundsSafeLookup(i, item.Recorded)
-		local, localSet := boundsSafeLookup(i, item.Local)
-		remote, remoteSet := boundsSafeLookup(i, item.Remote)
+		data := apply.RawElementData{}
+		if recorded, recordedSet := boundsSafeLookup(i, item.GetRecordedList()); recordedSet {
+			data.SetRecorded(recorded)
+		}
+		if local, localSet := boundsSafeLookup(i, item.GetLocalList()); localSet {
+			data.SetLocal(local)
+		}
+		if remote, remoteSet := boundsSafeLookup(i, item.GetRemoteList()); remoteSet {
+			data.SetRemote(remote)
+		}
 
 		// Create the Item
 		var s openapi.Schema
 		if item.Array != nil && item.Array.SubType != nil {
 			s = item.Array.SubType
 		}
-		subitem, err := v.getItem(s, fmt.Sprintf("%d", i),
-			apply.RawElementData{recorded, local, remote},
-			apply.HasElementData{recordedSet, localSet, remoteSet})
+		subitem, err := v.getItem(s, fmt.Sprintf("%d", i), data)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/map_element.go b/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/map_element.go
index c1a4e0fe120..6f21c566fb3 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/map_element.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/map_element.go
@@ -33,18 +33,13 @@ func (v ElementBuildingVisitor) mapElement(meta apply.FieldMetaImpl, item *mapIt
 	}
 
 	// Collect same fields from multiple maps into a map of elements
-	values, err := v.createMapValues(fn, meta, item.HasElementData, item.MapElementData)
+	values, err := v.createMapValues(fn, meta, item.MapElementData)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
 	// Return the result
-	return &apply.MapElement{
-		FieldMetaImpl:  meta,
-		HasElementData: item.HasElementData,
-		MapElementData: item.MapElementData,
-		Values:         values,
-	}, nil
+	return &apply.MapElement{meta, item.MapElementData, values}, nil
 }
 
 // schemaFn returns the schema for a field or map value based on its name or key
@@ -55,20 +50,24 @@ type schemaFn func(key string) openapi.Schema
 func (v ElementBuildingVisitor) createMapValues(
 	schemaFn schemaFn,
 	meta apply.FieldMetaImpl,
-	hasData apply.HasElementData,
 	data apply.MapElementData) (map[string]apply.Element, error) {
 
 	// Collate each key in the map
 	values := map[string]apply.Element{}
-	for _, key := range keysUnion(data.Recorded, data.Local, data.Remote) {
-		recorded, recordedSet := nilSafeLookup(key, data.Recorded)
-		local, localSet := nilSafeLookup(key, data.Local)
-		remote, remoteSet := nilSafeLookup(key, data.Remote)
+	for _, key := range keysUnion(data.GetRecordedMap(), data.GetLocalMap(), data.GetRemoteMap()) {
+		combined := apply.RawElementData{}
+		if recorded, recordedSet := nilSafeLookup(key, data.GetRecordedMap()); recordedSet {
+			combined.SetRecorded(recorded)
+		}
+		if local, localSet := nilSafeLookup(key, data.GetLocalMap()); localSet {
+			combined.SetLocal(local)
+		}
+		if remote, remoteSet := nilSafeLookup(key, data.GetRemoteMap()); remoteSet {
+			combined.SetRemote(remote)
+		}
 
 		// Create an item for the field
-		field, err := v.getItem(schemaFn(key), key,
-			apply.RawElementData{recorded, local, remote},
-			apply.HasElementData{recordedSet, localSet, remoteSet})
+		field, err := v.getItem(schemaFn(key), key, combined)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/primitive_element.go b/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/primitive_element.go
index 0133117bd5c..5fac5ce04ee 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/primitive_element.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/primitive_element.go
@@ -20,11 +20,6 @@ import "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubectl/apply"
 
 // primitiveElement builds a new primitiveElement from a PrimitiveItem
 func (v ElementBuildingVisitor) primitiveElement(item *primitiveItem) (*apply.PrimitiveElement, error) {
-	result := &apply.PrimitiveElement{
-		HasElementData: item.HasElementData,
-		RawElementData: item.RawElementData,
-	}
-	result.Name = item.Name
-
-	return result, nil
+	meta := apply.FieldMetaImpl{Name: item.Name}
+	return &apply.PrimitiveElement{meta, item.RawElementData}, nil
 }
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/type_element.go b/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/type_element.go
index 39474129c64..0eabd9df020 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/type_element.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/type_element.go
@@ -32,16 +32,11 @@ func (v ElementBuildingVisitor) typeElement(meta apply.FieldMetaImpl, item *type
 	}
 
 	// Collect same fields from multiple maps into a map of elements
-	values, err := v.createMapValues(fn, meta, item.HasElementData, item.MapElementData)
+	values, err := v.createMapValues(fn, meta, item.MapElementData)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
 	// Return the result
-	return &apply.TypeElement{
-		FieldMetaImpl:  meta,
-		HasElementData: item.HasElementData,
-		MapElementData: item.MapElementData,
-		Values:         values,
-	}, nil
+	return &apply.TypeElement{meta, item.MapElementData, values}, nil
 }
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/util.go b/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/util.go
index 6614877ac92..d9eb9ff6ef5 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/util.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/apply/parse/util.go
@@ -95,22 +95,6 @@ func getType(args ...interface{}) (reflect.Type, error) {
 	return reflect.TypeOf(last), nil
 }
 
-// sliceCast casts i to a slice if it is non-nil, otherwise returns nil
-func sliceCast(i interface{}) []interface{} {
-	if i == nil {
-		return nil
-	}
-	return i.([]interface{})
-}
-
-// mapCast casts i to a map if it is non-nil, otherwise returns nil
-func mapCast(i interface{}) map[string]interface{} {
-	if i == nil {
-		return nil
-	}
-	return i.(map[string]interface{})
-}
-
 // getFieldMeta parses the metadata about the field from the openapi spec
 func getFieldMeta(s openapi.Schema, name string) (apply.FieldMetaImpl, error) {
 	m := apply.FieldMetaImpl{}
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/apply/primitive_element.go b/pkg/kubectl/apply/primitive_element.go
index 5ab2b7d733d..847ee1a29ab 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/apply/primitive_element.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/apply/primitive_element.go
@@ -16,19 +16,12 @@ limitations under the License.
 
 package apply
 
-import (
-	"fmt"
-)
-
 // PrimitiveElement contains the recorded, local and remote values for a field
 // of type primitive
 type PrimitiveElement struct {
 	// FieldMetaImpl contains metadata about the field from openapi
 	FieldMetaImpl
 
-	// HasElementData contains whether the field was set
-	HasElementData
-
 	// RawElementData contains the values the field was set to
 	RawElementData
 }
@@ -38,9 +31,4 @@ func (e PrimitiveElement) Merge(v Strategy) (Result, error) {
 	return v.MergePrimitive(e)
 }
 
-// String returns a string representation of the PrimitiveElement
-func (e PrimitiveElement) String() string {
-	return fmt.Sprintf("name: %s recorded: %v local: %v remote: %v", e.Name, e.Recorded, e.Local, e.Remote)
-}
-
 var _ Element = &PrimitiveElement{}
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/apply/strategy/merge.go b/pkg/kubectl/apply/strategy/merge.go
index 9e807941da9..393ffc0a250 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/apply/strategy/merge.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/apply/strategy/merge.go
@@ -20,32 +20,14 @@ import "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubectl/apply"
 
 // Options controls how a merge will be executed
 type Options struct {
-	// FailOnConflict when true will fail patch creation if the Recorded and Remote
+	// FailOnConflict when true will fail patch creation if the recorded and remote
 	// have 2 fields set for the same value that cannot be merged.
 	// e.g. primitive values, list values with replace strategy, and map values with do
 	// strategy
 	FailOnConflict bool
-
-	// ListOrder controls the order of items in a list after it is merged
-	ListOrder ListOrder
 }
 
 // Create returns a new apply.Visitor for merging multiple objects together
 func Create(options Options) apply.Strategy {
 	return createDelegatingStrategy(options)
 }
-
-// ListOrder allows the caller to controller how ordering is determined when merging
-// lists
-// TODO: Implement this
-type ListOrder int
-
-const (
-	// RemoteOnlyLast appends items only appearing in the remote list to the end
-	RemoteOnlyLast ListOrder = iota
-	// RemoteOnlyFirst prepends items only appearing in the remote list to the beginning
-	RemoteOnlyFirst
-	// RemoteCollated will try to preserve the order of elements as much as possible by
-	// interleaving items
-	RemoteCollated
-)
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/apply/strategy/merge_visitor.go b/pkg/kubectl/apply/strategy/merge_visitor.go
index 2f62420603f..3a3c414fcb4 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/apply/strategy/merge_visitor.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/apply/strategy/merge_visitor.go
@@ -46,19 +46,20 @@ func (v mergeStrategy) MergeList(e apply.ListElement) (apply.Result, error) {
 	merged := []interface{}{}
 	for _, value := range e.Values {
 		// Recursively merge the list element before adding the value to the list
-		result, err := value.Merge(v.strategic)
+		m, err := value.Merge(v.strategic)
 		if err != nil {
 			return apply.Result{}, err
 		}
 
-		switch result.Operation {
+		fmt.Printf("\nResult %+v\n%+v\n", m.MergedResult, value)
+		switch m.Operation {
 		case apply.SET:
 			// Keep the list item value
-			merged = append(merged, result.MergedResult)
+			merged = append(merged, m.MergedResult)
 		case apply.DROP:
 			// Drop the list item value
 		default:
-			panic(fmt.Errorf("Unexpected result operation type %+v", result))
+			panic(fmt.Errorf("Unexpected result operation type %+v", m))
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/apply/type_element.go b/pkg/kubectl/apply/type_element.go
index c28267228a6..0462123fb10 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/apply/type_element.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/apply/type_element.go
@@ -22,10 +22,6 @@ type TypeElement struct {
 	// FieldMetaImpl contains metadata about the field from openapi
 	FieldMetaImpl
 
-	// HasElementData contains whether the field was set
-	HasElementData
-
-	// ListElementData contains the value a field was set to
 	MapElementData
 
 	// Values contains the combined recorded-local-remote value of each field in the type