Sticky Trunk Release Button Replacement - Not that easy

I'm sorry it cause you so much trouble I did about the same thing but mine must have not been as melted. I had to do some scraping but it fit pretty well. I used the angled screw driver provided and I re used the screws. It's probably been a year or more since I did it and everything is fine. Did you buy from IE Works?

 

I did it on a 08 and my fingers were black after the job but I'm happy with it. I just tried to take a pic for you but it's way too sunny

 

I replaced mine using the kit (see threads passim) and found removing the rear registration-plate made it so much easier to get at the screws (I used those supplied in the kit since the originals had started to corrode)

 

…but hot can be good! I'm reminded when I first got my (used) 2009 Gen II, one of the first DIY jobs I attempted was re-glueing the rear-bumper protector using double-sided tape and a hair-dryer - the job would have been so much easier if I'd done it in August rather than mid-January!

 

I'm afraid you did it the hard way. I wish they didn't include that right angle screwdriver. The rubber cover actually wraps around the switch, so you need to take the switch off and that can only be done from the inside.

Step 1: Open the hatch and use a plastic pry tool to pop off the lower inside black cover so you can get to the fasteners inside the hatch. I found it easiest to start at the lower outside corners.
Step 2: Unplug the four light, glass heater, and switch connectors.
Step 3: Take off the four 10mm nuts. Be careful to not drop them down into the hatch.
Step 4: Pop off the piece holding the switch and the license plate lights.
Step 5: Pull the grommet for the switch wire out so you can remove the whole unit from the car. Then take it to your work bench.
Step 6: Remove the switch from the "whatever you call that part that holds it." Remove the two screws you had been struggling with while trying it the hard way. Now the switch is just held by the little clips that the screws went into. Pinch them with needle nosed pliers from the back and push them out.
Step 7: Clean up the gooey mess. Worst part of the whole job. I used paint thinner after removing the heaviest stuff with a razor blade. Just don't scrub any painted areas that you want to look pretty.
Step 8: Put the new switch cover on, making sure the little bumps go into the holes in the rubber cover. I think there are four along each side.
Step 9: Put it back together.

It's not a 10 minute job. But, other than the cleaning, it's very easy. I guess it took me about a half hour once I discovered that that silly screwdriver wasn't going to get it. I have pictures in post #9 here: Tailgate latch handle | PriusChat

 

Or just use duct tape. I used it for a year and it was working fine. When I found the inexpensive cover, I got it as a little project as another reminder to the wife that she's important to me. Wasn't hard at all and she appreciated it.

 

Thank you, this really helped, it wasn't as bad as it sounds.