lowering convertible top questions

At some point the factory added some little wire fingers to all top frames. These to hold the top material out of a pinch point. If my memory serves there was a TSB on adding these to the earlier frames that didn't include them. I seem to recall drawings of these wire fingers and one forum member fabricating them. I don't know how many years ago that was.
So maybe check that your frame does have these little wires attached with small screws. It's possible that the wire(s) broke and/or was discarded. When they did break they would poke a hole in the top.