Tailgate Molding shrank

Hi guys, hoping this is one that someone has seen before, but it sure seems weird to me.  Attached photo of my tailgate molding shows that is has a curve and a kink in it.  Before I tried to fit it up, I assumed the curve was to match the contour of the tailgate, but upon closer inspection it is just plain out of shape!  

 The molding was off the car when I bought it, so I am guessing it was stored a little misshapen and took a set.  The way the part is curved now, it not only does not fit right, but effectively is a couple of inches too short.

 Any thoughts on getting this thing straightened out?  

 Thanks,

Andrew

Don't know where you live, but I would put it in the direct sun on a real hot day or two. Try to reshape it and stretch it.

Tom

I assume this is for a Caprice. The plastic shrinks, and there is not much you can do to stretch it. If you can heat the whole thing at once, you may be able to pull on the ends to stretch it, but it is likely to stretch at one spot, and make it really look weird. The only replacement is from another Caprice. You may get lucky, and find one that is in excellent condition.

Thanks for the quick replies gentlemen. This was going to be one of my easy aesthetic improvements, looks like I got that one wrong. I suppose I will take a shot at heating and straightening, but I do not think that will get me any better than 'close enough'.

Another option might be to do what dmg4 did https://gmlongroof.4umer.com/t13346-what-to-do-with-that-daggy-trim-on-a-caprice-wagon and separate the chrome section from the body color section. The two separate pieces would be less stiff than the one big piece and I might be able to manhandle them into shape. Or at least get the chrome strip back on.

Really like the way he did his. Eliminating chrome is always a nice thing.

I've always just removed the trim and tossed it all into the trash.

Straighten it as much as possible, and put it on centered. Run what you brung.

The material the factory used just shrinks as the plasticizers evaporate over time. This is why so many detach themselves from the metal backing.

Apparently, ages ago, replacement mouldings were available from the aftermarket. They were used quite a bit by body shops for repairs. They shrink about twice as badly as the OEM ones.