DSS-Co.03.01 — AR Bloom / Scuff (Anti-Reflective & Other Optical Films)

AR bloom/scuff is an appearance change confined to thin-film optical coatings (anti-reflective, IR, glare-reduction). It manifests as localized increases in reflectivity (“bloom”), haze, or color cast shift relative to adjacent areas. Effects are planar within the coating and usually non-tactile. Classification is appearance-only per VIS (method-agnostic). Inspect after Non-Invasive Reveal under VIS lighting/geometry; record surface numbering and worked-surface status.

Face identification is critical. Many AR/optical films are specified on #2 (or #1/#4 depending on design). Confirm the coated face prior to classification.

• Localized “bloom” where reflections appear stronger/brighter than surrounding AR areas; sometimes a cool/warm color drift.
• Soft-edged scuff panels or contact-shaped patches; may correlate with wipe arcs, suction cup contact, or handling pads.
• Under oblique sweep the patch flashes earlier/later than adjacent AR field.

Surface-catch class (MSRT)

• SC-0 typical (planar optical change).
• SC-1 localized only if a minute texture imprint exists (pad weave/foreign dust imprint).
• Perform one light, non-marring pass on a small revealed test patch; polymer stylus only on suspected coated faces. MSRT supports classification only; do not abrade the coating.

Visual signature

• Planar sheen increase (AR locally less effective) or haze/mottle; no chip-flank sparkle, no discrete grooves, no pits/fused nodules.
• Not periodic (vs. roller pitch); typically isolated to contact/wipe areas.

Viewing / lighting

• Evaluate clean & dry at 12 / 36 / 72 in, normal and oblique sweep (~60°-120°); use broad specular to compare reflectivity inside vs. outside patch. Record distances/angles in-frame.

Location / access

• Record pane ID and surface numbering (#1-#4; laminate-internal). If on #2/#3 (IGU interior), it is inaccessible in place → CAT-5 by location (classification remains Co.03.01).

Mechanism cue (context)

• Contact/wipe on AR face, improper cleaners, deposited films that altered interference response, or minor densification changes from contact/pressure during handling.

Assign CAT by visibility at acceptance geometry and MSRT.

• CAT-1 (Benign / non-relief): Faint bloom/scuff visible mainly at oblique/raking; SC-0. Indicative relief: 0-10 μm (optical only).
• CAT-2 (Light): Discernible reflectivity/color shift at standard distance in certain lighting; SC-0 (or SC-1 localized if micro-imprint). Indicative relief: ~10-40 μm (apparent optical).
• CAT-3 (Moderate): Pane-noticeable patch/panel at standard distance affecting uniform appearance; SC-0/SC-1. Indicative relief: ~40-120 μm (apparent optical).
• Reclassify when: Parallel periodic bands → Co.02.01 Roller pickup; wipe-arc linked on pyrolytic → Co.02.02 Rub/Scuff (pyrolytic); linear grooves with chip flanks → M.01 Scoring; rings/runs → Ch.01/Ch.03 chemistry; fused peppering → Th.01.02 hot particle.
• CAT-5 (by condition/location): Between-pane/inaccessible or coating-side constraints preclude compliant presentation → CAT-5.

CAT is appearance-based; acceptance is separate under VIS-A at 12/36/72 in. Do not abrade coated faces to “force” a response.

• vs. Pyrolytic rub/scuff (Co.02.02): Pyrolytic hard-coats are hot-applied and may present different hue/reflectivity behavior; AR stacks show interference-sensitive bloom that changes more strongly with angle.
• vs. Sputtered low-E patchiness (Co.01.02): Low-E color non-uniformity may be lot-scale and non-contact-specific; AR bloom/scuff is localized with contact/wipe context.
• vs. Mineral/chemical films (Ch family): Chemical films exhibit rings/runs and can yield SC-1/2; AR bloom is planar, ringless, usually SC-0 after reveal.
• vs. Abrasion fields (M.02): Abrasion shows directional texture and consistent SC-1; AR bloom lacks coherent texturing and remains optical.

• Photo set (VIS): 12 / 36 / 72 in, normal + oblique; raking macros across patch boundary; broad specular comparison frames (inside vs. outside patch). Record distance/angle in-frame.
• Face ID + MSRT. Confirm AR/optical coated face; MSRT (polymer stylus only) on a revealed patch to record SC-class (SC-0 typical; SC-1 localized if present).
• Context notes. Handling/maintenance history, cleaners/media used, adjacent contact points (pads/cups/rails).
• Forms: Pane ID; product family & surface numbering; worked surface Y/N; functional coating present on worked surface? (Y/N/Unknown); reveal status; lighting/time; geometry checklist; photos attached.
• Acceptance split: Post-restoration acceptance per VIS-A §6; classification ≠ acceptance. Coated-face appearance rules apply per VIS §6.2.e when the worked surface is the optical coating.

• Co.03.01 AR Bloom / Scuff - Localized increase in reflectivity / color-cast shift on surface #___ (AR/optical coated face confirmed); MSRT (polymer): SC-0 [SC-1 localized if micro-imprint]; visible at [12/36/72 in] under VIS geometry. Morphology: planar thin-film optical variation, soft boundaries, no chip-flank grooves, no pits. Classification: CAT-[1/2/3] by visibility; reclassify per notes if roller-pitch, mechanical scoring, or chemical indicators are present; CAT-5 if between-pane or coating-side constraints preclude in-place work. Forms + photo set attached; acceptance per VIS-A §6.