Duster,
I assume that your driver's door unlock switch has the same dual purpose as my 2016. By that I mean, that if you press and hold the switch after unlocking the door, it will open your convertible top.
If it does, then open the top using that switch (because you can stand alongside the top as it opens and watch the material fold) and stop it before it opens completely, at the point where you can determine if the wear area is an inner fold or outer fold (I suspect its an inner fold, but hard to tell from your small photos).
At that point you may be able to put a finger past any of the top mechanism parts and feel or see which parts are rubbing together. Then, maybe you/we can come up with a solution.
I do know that there is a product (large squeeze tube) called "Stormsure" specifically for repairing convertible tops. (eBay, Amazon, and possibly some auto parts suppliers). See their YouTube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dozd_sDlbtc
Perhaps a solution won't be that hard to make or expensive. Get back to us and let us know how you make out!
Gene