Once upon a time, I saw a "How to make a flush tailgate" on a 4th gen 'Lude. Except the guys didn't rip out the plastic trim piece altogether and smooth over the recess, instead the filled in the gap between the surround and the tailgate ..and I can't remember how they did it to prevent it from cracking around the edges etc
from this
to this (well kinda)

please excuse my poor photoshopping..
I want it to look similar to a Supra number plate recess:
I realise it looks a bit odd like that, but I also want to add a lip spoiler instead of the OEM wing.
I expect I'll do it, hate it then scrap it ..but I am looking for evening projects that I can do in the relative warmth and comfort of my living room.