DSS-R.05.02 — PVC Plasticizer Smear / Migration Film

PVC plasticizer smear / migration film is an appearance change on glass caused by phthalate/alt-plasticizer migration and oily exudate transfer from PVC/vinyl components (edge trims, protection wraps, temporary films, blinds/slats, gasket liners, packing). It presents as an amber/brown oily smear or veil, often with distinct contact patches (nodes/lines) and pronounced wetting anomalies. Classification is appearance-only per VIS (method-agnostic). Inspect after Non-Invasive Reveal under VIS lighting/geometry; record surface numbering and worked-surface status.

• Warm amber cast with oily gloss, frequently linear along trim/blind contact lines or sheet-like under vinyl wraps left in sun.
• Contact “nodes” at stiffener points, clip feet, or cord ladders (for blinds).
• Wetting-behavior discontinuity (beading/sheeting contrast) that reappears after light misting; edge build near frames.

Surface-catch class (MSRT)

• Typically SC-0 (thin oily film on top).
• SC-1 may appear where dusty/abrasive wiping compacted soil or created very shallow micro-texture; 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

• Amber/brown, oily smear/veil tracing PVC contact geometry (linear, lattice, or broad sheet).
• Crisp wetting boundaries under a light mist (optional diagnostic).
• No chip-flank sparkle (not mechanical scoring); no discrete fused pits (not hot-particle).

Viewing / lighting

• Evaluate clean & dry at 12 / 36 / 72 in, normal incidence and oblique sweep (~60°-120°); raking macros to show sheen, contact nodes/lines, and wetting contrast. Record distances/angles in-frame.

Location / access

• Record pane ID and surface numbering (#1-#4; laminate-internal). Common on inboard (#4) faces near vinyl blinds, PVC trims, wraps, or temporary tapes. If parallax fixes film between panes (#2/#3), classify CAT-5 by location and refer.

Mechanism cue (context)

• PVC components touching glass (blinds slats/cords, edge trims), sun/heat exposure, aged vinyl wraps or protective films; oily residue on adjacent frames or cloths.

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

• CAT-1 (Benign / non-relief): Thin oily veil with wetting anomalies; SC-0; mainly angle/raking visible. Indicative relief: 0-10 μm (optical film).
• CAT-2 (Light): Persistent migration film with nodey contact patches and localized SC-1 from prior wiping; limited standard-view impact. Indicative relief: ~10-40 μm.
• CAT-3 (Moderate): Wide-area oily contamination legible at standard distance (global sheen non-uniformity, strong wetting contrast) with scattered SC-1. 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); if boundaries remain extremely sharp and durable, assess Ch.06.02 Hydrophobic coating mismatch halo (applied treatment).
• 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. EPDM gasket black rub (R.05.01): EPDM is grey/black matte along gasket lines; PVC smear is amber/oily with strong wetting contrast and may map blind/trim geometries.
• vs. Fabric softener/additive film (R.04.02): Additive films can also alter wetting but track cleaning paths and fragrance cues; PVC migration aligns to component contact and sun-exposed dwell.
• vs. Silicone/PIB smears (R.01.xx): Sealant smears appear oily/tacky near joints with corduroy/stringers; PVC films are broader, often contact-patterned away from joints.
• vs. Mineral staining/etch (Ch.03): Minerals show rings/runs, crystalline edges; PVC films lack crystalline edges and show oily beading behavior.
• vs. Hydrophobic coating mismatch (Ch.06.02): Mismatch halos have stable, engineered boundaries; PVC films show irregular contact footprints and typically lift on reveal test.

• Photo set (VIS): 12 / 36 / 72 in, normal + oblique; raking macros of sheen, contact nodes/lines, wetting contrast; context frames of PVC components in contact/proximity. 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.05.02 PVC Plasticizer Smear / Migration Film - Amber/brown oily veil with strong wetting anomalies following PVC contact geometry on surface #___; post-reveal test patch shows [SC-0/SC-1]; visible at [12/36/72 in] under VIS geometry. Morphology: contact nodes/lines, oily gloss, 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.