[LTToyotaFamily]

Watch this video. Around 1:40 you can see some of the clips.
You may need to look behind yours to see how this relates and determine if you can snap the parts together.

I did the tow hitch installation which required some cutting at that seam. The clips are more difficult to cut through, obviously since they are thicker, so you may have a bit of a hard time working the material at the clips.

Note: in the video his cover is upside down but if you study it enough times you should be able to figure out if your cover can be repaired very easily.
It's somewhat cramped up there, going to be difficult to get under there to see and work but at least it gives you something to compare against.

Google Search

Thanks! He is definitely showing the back of that part. You're right, I'm trying to get my brain used to seeing it upside down.

 

[LTToyotaFamily]

Ouch I bet you were Mister popular that day

Groveling helped, but I had to promise to make it better - and if the quick fix doesn't pass (her) inspection, it's going to be the full replace, which will be painfully expensive. But the good news is that like anything, over time, it doesn't look as bad, and I think the 90% fix will fly.

(Which was sort of like when I put a tiny scratch on the gray plastic the day we bought it by opening the rear hatch when the garage door was open. It was microscopic and a silver pen made it invisible, but my popularity ratings suffered for weeks.)

 

[LTToyotaFamily]

I had a friend fix the exact type of damage with black line (threat, fishing line or something, not sure exactly but drilled tiny holes and stitched it together. Looks kinda cool with a little wound but was very time consuming to do the threading. Need a hook type needle and steady hand to get the holes drilled right.

Thanks. That's not going to fly with the Mrs. - if I get anywhere near her car with a power drill, I will be in big trouble (understandably - while I'm pretty handy in general, I'm not the kind of person who could do that neatly).

 

[LTToyotaFamily]

Thanks! He is definitely showing the back of that part. You're right, I'm trying to get my brain used to seeing it upside down.

Note I think he's showing it with the silver part still attached, so I'm seeing the clips clipped. I think I need to remove the silver part only.

 

[LTToyotaFamily]

I don't know if you can separate the 2 pieces without removing the entire panel.
Once removed (like you saw in the video) is when the clips are accessible. Maybe you can do it while on your back? but it will be a cramped area.
Maybe it is as simple as any other dent -getting behind it to press it out may just pop it back.

I think if you take your time you'll be able to make it very close to undamaged. Just study it and come up with a plan before you start poking at it.

If you are mechanically inclined you could probably remove the rear cover. It looks to be an intimating job but it really consists of removing a bunch of pin/retainers. And some bolts.
I installed the tow hitch myself -a bit scary to remove the plastic with just one person but if you protect the floor for scratching the cover you can do it.
Send your wife to a double-feature so you have a few hours to make like you're dismantled the car to the point of no return without her ever seeing it. ha

Good luck no matter what you end up doing. Full removal may be overkill but if you can't access the backside you may just want to give in.

Thanks. If I end up doing it, that's good advice. If she sees the whole back bumper cover off, her stress level would skyrocket. The problem is, while I'm pretty good mechanically, I'm the kind of person who isn't good at being gentle at delicately removing plastic parts. And it looks like there's lots of that to remove the bumper cover (including things like the plastic around the wheel wells? That seems crazy).