Ribboning Rear Window Gasket

[Vicinity]

Whats the move on straighening this out. Chase each rung like a kink in a hose with a sealing agent?

 

[White Lincoln]

These are the original factory OEM ribbons?

 

[Vicinity]

Most likely, no service history on it. The Marks are known to do this, supposedly

 

[White Lincoln]

Most likely, no service history on it. The Marks are known to do this, supposedly

Yeah, I have seen that before, heat and age. My first thought is to replace it cause I don't know if you can get the wrinkle out as it has stretched and shrunk, stretched and shrunk. The older T-Bird's pre 93 where famous for the rubber strip on the roof separation to swell like that in ripples. Might look into what the trim costs to replace it and the time involved. I know I would not attempt it on my Cougar, it is a log of work.

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

I'd suggest you look at one in a junkyard. Remove the trim, even if that destroys it; that way you can see exactly what it looks like in there (e.g., width of the gap). That may give you some idea for a custom solution.

You could also use that junkyard trim for some experimentation. Maybe a heat gun could get this back into shape?