IR film Vs Ceramic?

Counterpart · August 13, 2016

Is there a difference between a "IR film" and a "True Ceramic film" and which do you prefer and why?

Strictly speaking, IR films includes TiN Ceramics, Carbon, ITO and ATO films.

Technologically, they are usually less reflective and offer better heat reduction than HP-type of autotints.

Most importantly, they will not interfere with GPS or radio signals unless metals are added.

Some hybrid products in the market uses ITO, TiN with some sputtered silver.

Counterpart · August 13, 2016

Fortunately i plan on going to ASWF when i go to Sema this year to get a better idea of how film is manufactured in Vegas. Thanks for any info.

I give credits to ASWF for organizing free tours during SEMA Shows in the past years. However, you will not really see how film is made in the laminating machine because that portion is usually enclosed in most manufacturers.

Visitors will see the rolling and rewinding from beginning to end because they are proud of their integrated laminating line (possibility one of the most expensive laminating line in US).

Counterpart · August 13, 2016

IR is already accounted for in TSER in all window films. A lot of new window films (usually cheaper quality) are starting to market IR separate which in the end it is more of a gimmick than anything. Most of these films are from China or Korea.

Yes, IR is part ot the spectrophotometer wavelength.

Consumers should compare SC, SHGC or TSER for products of similar VLT

Counterpart · August 13, 2016

For example one of the reps for Wincos kept calling it IR film when I would say ceramic. That made me think maybe there is a difference because every time I say ceramic he says IR.

Wincos is a very good automotive film, one of the best in our industry.

Wincos as an IR autotint offers better heat reduction than most TiN, ATO and ITO films of similar VLTs.

Counterpart · August 13, 2016

I.R. numbers are the new gimmick thing that film companies are using to sound better. All these high IR numbers but there TSER is still the same as everyone else. Don't fall for it.

Also, there is no certified way or accepted method of testing IR rejection. It is barely an accepted statistic

Yes, IR can be misleading.

Eg. Carbon XP offers good IR reading on EDTM IR meter but you will feel more heat on your skin under a heat lamp, than most cheap IR films from Asia.

Counterpart · August 13, 2016

Thanks for the reply Bham. You have any idea why the Wincos 70 blocks almost the same heat on my box as my FXtreme? I know dynamicappearance says it's not ceramic so what in it makes it blocks as much heat as my Ceramic?

It doesn't have to be a Ceramic to block heat. For example, Huper Optik Performa is a Spectral Filtering Technology film that outperforms Llumar CTX Ceramic at several VLT's. 3M Crystalline outperforms all of the Ceramics and it is a Multi-Layer Optical Technology film. It is just the technology they use in Wincos which is not specifically stated on their website. I checked Lintec's website (maker of Wincos from Japan), they do not specifically state a technology either.

Multi-layer OT Films provides excellent heat reduction in most temperatures. However, scientifically, MLOT Films offer weak heat reduction in summer afternoons.

All manufacturers of MLOT will add either TiN, ATO, ITO, ceramics or other heat reducing chemicals to MLOT to produce a perfect product that works in all season.

Barrerasr81 · August 13, 2016

Thanks for the info fat cat. what is ITO and ATO. Well i guess i will atleast get to see one of the best laminating line. Any idea of any other manufacturers that show more of the process?

Counterpart · August 13, 2016

Yeah one of the guys I know down here has Raynos carbon ceramic and said he's already getting film fading out after a year.

Thanks for the reply Bham. You have any idea why the Wincos 70 blocks almost the same heat on my box as my FXtreme? I know dynamicappearance says it's not ceramic so what in it makes it blocks as much heat as my Ceramic?

This sounds like the same hoo-hah Rayno is spitting out to everyone. They claim to have found a way to make shaded -- non laminated-- window film with no dyes or metals.