Altapac is Newcastle and the Hunter’s window tinting specialist. We’ve been tinting since 1972 which means we know a thing or two about it. Combining the latest window films from brands like 3M, Suntek and Solarguard and our proprietary computer-cutting software, Altacut, you can be sure you’ll get the best window tinting for your car, bus, ute, 4WD or train at Altapac.
ALTAPAC WINDOW TINTS
At Altapac, we supply Newcastle’s largest range of quality automotive window tint. We’ve got it all; limousine tint for those who want the darkest finish possible, extra-heat rejecting tint that repels heat from the sun and even ceramic window tint, the latest window tint innovation designed specifically to cut down in infra-red (IR) heat.
All our window films offer 99% UV rejection, multiple darkness levels and a limited lifetime manufacturer’s warranty. We stock a range of window tints from major manufacturers like Suntek, SolarGuard and 3M. At Altapac, you’ll get the biggest range from Newcastle’s most experienced window tinters.
Key Terms
You’ll see and hear us refer to terms that you may not be familiar with when looking at car window tinting. This guide will tell you what we mean by these terms so you can understand the difference between different types of window tint available to you and make an informed choice.
UV
UV stands for Ultraviolet. Ultraviolet is a type of radiation that is found in the spectrum between x-rays and visible light. Most of us know that UV is the bad stuff and can be harmful to human health if overexposed, causing skin damage, eye damage, and an increased risk of skin cancer. Thankfully, all our tints are great at blocking UV.
Infrared
To put it basically, infrared is the heat you can feel. It’s the heat you feel on your cheek or your shoulder when driving, even if you’ve had the air-con on for an hour. Infrared is commonly known as heat radiation, as it is felt as heat when absorbed. This is where the biggest difference between window tints will be felt and more advanced films have the ability to stop a large percentage of the infrared heat from transmitting through the film.
Heat Rejection
Heat rejection refers to the ability of a material to reduce the amount of heat that passes through it. In the
context of automotive window tinting, this property is typically regarded as a measurement of how effective the
film is at maximising heat rejection while minimising heat absorption and transmission when your car is sitting
still and sunbaking.
This property considers the whole range of heat-producing factors, rather than one specific element like UV or
infrared.
In an Australian Summer, a high heat rejection number won’t make much difference for how hot your car will get
when you get back to it after going inside the shops. Your car will be hot. Heat rejection will make a difference
when you’ve got the car running and the air-con going in that the air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard to
maintain a comfortable cabin temperature.
Darkness
The darkness is used to describe the ‘look’ of the window tint, but really, we’re talking about visible light
transmission. Visible Light Transmission (VLT) refers to the percentage of visible light that can pass through a
window or other transparent surface. It is typically measured on a scale of 0-100%, with the higher number
indicating greater levels of light transmission.
For example, a window with a VLT of 70% allows 70% of visible light to pass through (not dark at all), while a
window with a VLT of 20% only allows 20% of visible light to pass through (very dark).
VLT is an important consideration when choosing window tinting, as it can affect the amount of natural light that
enters your vehicle. A lower VLT can reduce glare and provide greater privacy but can also make a space darker and
more difficult to navigate in low light conditions.
TYPES OF WINDOW TINT
Altapac has a long established partnership with the biggest brands in window tinting. We carry the largest range of window films in Newcastle, in all densities and darknesses to suit all vehicles.
As with every highly engineered product there is a balancing act between the benefits and compromises of a window film which can make the process of selecting window tint daunting. Never fear though because a member of our team is only an email or phone call away and would be happy to guide you through the process.
Carbon Window Tint
Carbon films offer a truer black finish and superior privacy but compromise on heat rejection. Carbon-based films do not contain any metal in their construction. This will normally give carbon films a pure black appearance as it is constructed using dyes and carbon. Carbon films have the primary benefit of not interfering with the technology in the glass of many modern cars like AM radio aerials and Bluetooth or GPS receivers.
Benefits:
- True ‘black’ look
- Zero technology interference
- Superior glare reduction
- 99% UV Blocking
Compromises:
- Doesn’t keep out as much heat as other tints.
- Doesn’t block InfraRed heat (the heat you actually feel).
Varieties offered at Altapac
Carbon Shadow Our Carbon Shadow window tint offer vehicle owners the clean, crisp look of black carbon window tints with many of the benefits usually reserved for metal hybrid films. Carbon Shadow offers darknesses from 80% to 5% and heat rejection ratings of up to 46%.
- Available in VLTs from 80% to 5%.
- A carbon layer construction provides a great look that will not fade.
- No metal layers that may interfere with mobile phone, radio or navigational system signals.
- Provides excellent optical clarity while reducing day and nighttime glare.
- Backed by a Lifetime Warranty that includes peeling, cracking, adhesive failure and fading
Carbon Black Carbon Black’s appearance mimic tinted factory glass (or privacy glass), never turns purple and provides high heat rejection with no signal interference. This nano-carbon polyester provides an incredible look, great colour stability, and is non-metallised to ensure no signal interference. Typically we’d use this film to match the privacy glass that is supplied from the factory on the rear windows of many new vehicles.
- Designed to closely match factory privacy glass
- Provides reasonable heat rejection with no signal interference.
- Designed to reject solar heat that is produced from visible light.
- Rejects up to 57% of the heat coming through your windows.
CARBON XTRA PERFORMANCE
The best balance – high heat rejection, zero technology interference with superior glare reduction and privacy. The primary fallback of carbon films is that they don’t cut as much heat as metalised or ceramic films. To combat that, some brands have produced a Premium Carbon-based tint which uses nano-technology to produce a film with all the performance benefits of metal or ceramic tints without any of the downsides regarding technology interference.
Benefits:
- True ‘black’ look
- Zero technology interference
- Superior glare reduction
- 99% UV Blocking
- Higher heat rejection than standard carbon films.
Compromises:
- Doesn’t block InfraRed heat as well as ceramic window tints.
Varieties offered at Altapac
CarbonXP (Xtra Performance) is a premium window film developed to provide a ‘best-of-both-worlds’ solution for customers wanting the performance of metal-based window tint, with the look and zero-technology-interference of carbon films.
- Available in VLTs from 75% to 5%.
- The latest in non-metal, nano-hybrid, carbon technology.
- Non-reflective, black finish that will not fade.
- Superior heat, infrared, and UV rejection for increased comfort.
- Signal enabling technology that causes no interference with mobile phone, radio, or navigation system signals.
- Lifetime Manufacturer’s warranty, that includes fading.
CERAMIC WINDOW TINT
A high performance film specifically formulated for InfraRed (IR) rejection. Using nano-technology, Ceramic tint uses ceramics so fine they are not only invisible to the naked eye, they’re imperceptible with an ordinary microscope. The result is a film that is tough, won’t corrode and enhances your view with greater clarity. Ceramic films perform best against infrared (IR) light and have comparable heat rejection properties to metal and Carbon XP films. The one downside of ceramic films is that they appear lighter than other types which may deter those looking for the darkest finish.
Benefits:
- Zero technology interference.
- Less susceptible to scratching and marking.
- High heat rejection.
- 99% UV Blocking
- Superior InfraRed heat rejection.
Compromises:
- More transparent (lighter) than other films.
- Less privacy.
- Lower glare rejection.
- More expensive than other films.
Varieties offered at Altapac
CeramicIR offers all the performance advantages of our popular CarbonXP line as well as enhanced solar performance and infrared rejection.
- Ceramic and non-metal, nano-hybrid carbon technology.
- Non-reflective black finish that will not fade.
- Exceptional heat and infrared rejection.
- Blocks 99% of harmful UV rays to help protect vehicle occupants as well as the interior.
- No signal interference.
- Manufacturer’s lifetime limited warranty* with protection against film fading.
METAL HYBRID TINT
A high heat rejecting window tint which can sometimes impact technology like AM radio and GPS receivers. Metal films, as suggested, have one of a variety of metal elements added to the construction of the film. The idea behind this is to enable the film to have better reflective properties for rejecting heat. Hybrid Metal films also have other colouring elements added to dull the metallic finish in order to maintain the ever popular “black” appearance. They do, however, in the right light, show varying signs of their metallic construction by shimmering or looking like there is an oil slick over the window. Metal films can cause varying degrees of interference with antennas manufactured into car glass.
Benefits:
- Superior heat rejection.
- IR rejection.
- Average glare rejection.
- 99% UV Blocking
Compromises:
- Can sometimes look shimmery or slightly reflective in the right light.
- Can interfere with technology like the AM aerial, GPS receiver and Bluetooth in some vehicles.
Varieties offered at Altapac
Altapac HP Supreme is the best-of-the-best in a hybrid film. A colour-stable metal hybrid with excellent solar heat-rejecting performance. Backed by a lifetime warranty, HP Supreme also offers superior optical clarity with one of the darkest Visible Light Transmissions (VLTs) available at 4%.
- Guaranteed against fading or colour change.
- High heat rejection.
- Excellent glare reduction.
- Blocks more than 99% of the harmful UVA and UVB rays.
- Available in seven shades.
- Limited lifetime warranty.
INFORMATION ABOUT INSTALLATION & BOOKINGS
Generally, you’ll need to give us at least 24 hours notice when you’re trying to book an appointment for window tinting. During winter and slower times, we can sometimes accommodate a same day booking so it is always worth calling us if you need something done quickly.
We keep all our window films in stock so we don’t have to order anything in for your job. We operate our tinting workshop Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm and on Saturdays from 8 am to 2 pm. Most appointments take 2 hours to tint a whole car. Some large 4WDs can take longer and we will need extra time if we have to remove old window tint first.
Because we computer cut all our films, there is no need to cut by hand which means your car can be in and out in 2 hours. We’ve got the best waiting room in Newcastle across the road at Westfield Kotara so you can catch up on some shopping while we spruce up your car.
