Q: What are regulations regarding window tinting?
A: Present NSW RTA regulations for window tinting on Passenger vehicles require a minimum VLT (Visible Light Transmission) of no less than 35% on all windows. Commercial vehicles such as Trucks, Busses, Vans and Ute’s have a minimum VLT of 35% on the front doors and no minimum VLT for windows rearward of the drivers and passengers front doors. The mimimum VLT for front winscreens on all classes of vechicles is 75%, however you are allowed a tinted band along the top arount 10% of the depth of the windscreen. (see RTA regulations PDF doc. Attached).
Q: How do the film percentages work and what does VLT mean?
A: The VLT (Visible Light Transmitted) means the amount of natural light that is transmitted through the glass and window film combination. This means a window film with a 35% VLT value will stop 35% of the natural light entering your car windows and allow in 65%. Therefore films with a lower VLT will transmit less light and therefore be darker and conversely films with a higher VLT will transmit more light and therefore be lighter.
Q: How is this policed?
A: When you car is due for a pink slip it is a normal requirement that as well as other items (i.e. Brakes, Tail lights, general road worthiness) that the VLT on your window, and most importantly your front door windows be checked. If this Value falls below a 35% reading you are in a position to be issued with a defect notice requiring the problem to be rectified. This would involve removing and possibly replacing the film so that it complies to the NSW RTA requirements.
Q: What is all the talk and difference between metallic and non-metallic films?
A: Non metallic films were the first technology of films introduced into the market some 30+ years ago. Non metallic films of this area were made up of a dyed component to give the film its colored and dark look. As time past the problems with this process became obvious. Similar to a shirt left on the cloths line for years at a time the dyed component of the film would also be affected by the harsh Australian sun and UV rays. This would cause the film color to fade over time. The Adhesive technology back then was also effect and would sometimes break down and cause that bubbling effect. Traditionally the warranty given on this first range of films was 1 -5yrs. In the late eighties and early nineties the introduction of a metal layer into window films and the advances in window film adhesive technology began to take hold. The introduction of metallic films became known as a higher quality alternative both from a performance and long lasting point of view. The metal content would enable the film to stop much more heat (up to 60%) and were given warranties of up to ten years. These included hybrid metal/ dyed films and full metals films. Towards the late nineties and into the next century Auto manufactures began to include car radio (and later GPS) antennas into the glass of one or more car windows. This was to avoid un unsightly antenna showing on the vehicle. The problem then became that tinting over a window that had a radio/ GPS antenna incorporated would affect the reception quality of the device. This meant that window film manufacturers had to adjust there manufacturing techniques again and revisit the manufacture of non-metallic films. Today’s non-metallic films are either a multi layered dye construction, or manufactured from other non-metallic materials (i.e. Carbon and Ceramics) with color embedded and will not fayed and discolor. Today both metallic and non-metallic films come with a full lifetime replacement warranty to the original purchaser which includes peeling, bubbling and fading.
Q: Which films perform better metallic or non-metallic?
A: Generally the majority of metallic films still perform better as far as keeping out heat than non-metallic films however there are now a small and much more expensive range of ceramic constructed films which have extremely high Infra Red (IR) performance of up and over 80%.
Q: I want the Darkest legal film, which do I choose?
A: In most cases a non-metallic film will give a “blacker” look in a pure sense, however the compromise from a pure black style metallic film is lower heat performance. We do have a range of low shine hybrid/ metallic films which will give you that black low sheen look while maintaining the high performance.
Q: What is the advantage of computer cutting window film?
A: Altapac uses its own designed and manufactured software “Altacut” in combination with Roland cutting machines to ensure that the best possible template made for you car windows is cut precisely and accurately for each and every customer of Altapac. Most other automotive tinting outlets will hand cut a window template for your car either from a template made from cardboard or plastic liner. Alternatively that may make a template by cutting the film on the outside of your car window frames. The inherent problems with this are:
Inconsistency in template made for each car tinted. Better on some and worse on others.
Risk of damaging the cars exterior by using an extremely sharp blade to hand cut a template on the outside frame of your car (i.e, scratching and marking)
Q: How long does it take?
A: Generally between two to two and a half hours.
Q: What notice is required for a booking?
A: Generally 1 – 3 days. Possibly a little more for a Saturday booking.
Q: How long before I can wind my windows down?
A: Two days will let the adhesive bond well enough to allow you to wind your windows down.
Q: I have just had my windows tinted and am noticing bubbles in the tint?
A: As window film is applied wet there will be a small amount of moisture left between the film and the glass that has to dry out. Over a period of a month this remaining moisture can tend to accumulate together in small moister bubbles before finally evaporating. This is a completely normal process and can take up to a month to clear completely.
