what's this thing called?

[ehummelman]

The little metal guide thing that is rubber/plastic coated. Mine is worn through and scratches the window now.
This is looking forward out the driver's side window.

[Hugger67RSSS]

That's a roofrail blow out clip. You can buy them repopped.

[vintageracer]

That's a roofrail blow out clip. You can buy them repopped.

Or can remove your original clips, go to the hardware store and buy the liquid tool grip dip in a can, clean all the plastic off your old clips, dip them in the tool grip and you have now restored your original clips. Probably cheaper and certainly quicker than ordering new clips.

[ehummelman]

Thanks, Plastidip sounds like a good fix.
I'm going to try to brush the stuff on though, it looks like those clips are riveted to the weatherstrip channel. PITA!