DSS-R.04.02 — Fabric Softener / Cleaner Additive Film

Fabric softener / cleaner additive film is an appearance change on glass caused by transfer of conditioning agents (e.g., cationic quaternary compounds, siloxanes, fragrances, optical brighteners) from laundered towels or multi-purpose cleaners containing “leave-behind” additives. It presents as smeary glow/halo, strong wetting anomalies (persistent beading/sheeting contrast), and directional wipe geometry. Classification is appearance-only per VIS (method-agnostic). Inspect after Non-Invasive Reveal under VIS lighting/geometry; record surface numbering and worked-surface status.

• Soft, greasy-looking sheen with wipe arcs/overlaps; frequently returns after re-wet, indicating hydrophobe contamination.
• Beading contrast when lightly misted-film areas bead strongly while clean glass sheets (or vice versa).
• Often accompanied by a fragrance cue (fresh/“laundry” smell) from towels/cleaners; heaviest where hands/pads start/stop.

Surface-catch class (MSRT)

• Typically SC-0 (thin organic film on top).
• SC-1 may appear where aggressive/abrasive wiping created very shallow micro-texture while film was present; SC-2 uncommon-recheck classification if observed.
• Perform one light, non-marring pass on a small revealed test patch (substrate). Use a polymer stylus if a functional coating is suspected. MSRT supports classification only.

Visual signature

• Smeary glow in specular; wipe tracks and overlap edges; no chip-flank sparkle; no discrete pits/nodules.
• Wetting-behavior discontinuity is the hallmark-crisp boundary between film and clean areas during an optional mist test.

Viewing / lighting

• Evaluate clean & dry at 12 / 36 / 72 in, normal incidence and oblique sweep (~60°-120°); raking reveals sheen gradients and overlap lines. Record distances/angles in-frame.

Location / access

• Record pane ID and surface numbering (#1-#4; laminate-internal). If a similar pattern appears between panes by parallax on #2/#3, classify CAT-5 by location and refer.

Mechanism cue (context)

• Freshly laundered towels with softener or “glass cleaner + protectant/shine” products; janitorial or residential cleaning histories; fragrance noted on cloths.

Assign CAT by visibility at acceptance geometry and MSRT after a controlled reveal on a small area. Depth values are indicative-field measurement not required.

• CAT-1 (Benign / non-relief): Thin hydrophobe film; SC-0; visible mainly at angle/raking; clear wetting contrast on mist. Indicative relief: 0-10 μm (optical).
• CAT-2 (Light): Persistent wetting contrast with wipe overlaps; localized SC-1 from prior abrasive wiping; limited standard-view impact. Indicative relief: ~10-40 μm.
• CAT-3 (Moderate): Wide-area hydrophobe contamination legible at standard distance (global sheen non-uniformity), with scattered SC-1; typically from repeated deposits over time. Indicative relief: ~40-120 μm (film stack).
• Reclassify when: After true residue lift, any modeled micro-texture or SC>0 persists → evaluate under M.02 (abrasion fields) or Ch.06.02 (hydrophobic coating mismatch halo) if a durable surface treatment is suspected.
• CAT-5 (by condition/location): Between-pane/inaccessible by parallax, integrity indicators, or confirmed functional-coating loss on the surface to be worked → CAT-5.

CAT is appearance-based; acceptance is separate under VIS-A at 12/36/72 in. Do not abrade to “force” removal during classification.

• vs. Detergent/surfactant film (R.04.01): Both show wipe geometry; additive films feature stronger wetting contrast and often a fragrance cue; detergent film shows iridescence more commonly.
• vs. Hydrophobic coating mismatch halo (Ch.06.02): Mismatch halos have stable, sharp boundaries from applied coatings; additive films have irregular, tool-path edges and typically remove uniformly on a small reveal patch.
• vs. Silicone/PIB smears (R.01.xx): Sealant smears are oily/tacky near joints and may show stringers; additive films are thin, broad and coincide with cleaning paths.
• vs. Mineral staining/etch (Ch.03): Minerals show ring/runs and crystalline edges; additive films lack ring crystals and display wetting contrast rather than mineral build.

• Photo set (VIS): 12 / 36 / 72 in, normal + oblique; raking macros of sheen gradients and overlap lines; optional light mist frame to show beading/sheeting contrast (avoid flooding edges). Record distance/angle in-frame.
• MSRT result (substrate): After a small reveal test patch, perform one light, non-marring pass; record SC-class (SC-0/SC-1/SC-2).
• 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 a factory functional coating.

• R.04.02 Fabric Softener / Cleaner Additive Film - Smeary glow with strong wetting contrast and wipe overlaps on surface #___; post-reveal test patch shows [SC-0/SC-1]; visible at [12/36/72 in] under VIS geometry. Morphology: hydrophobe boundary on mist, fragrance cue, no chip-flank sparkle, no pits. Classification: CAT-[1/2/3] by visibility and SC-class; CAT-5 if between-pane or coating-side loss on the surface to be worked. Forms + photo set attached; acceptance per VIS-A §6.