Nissan tests paint that repels grime

NISSAN is testing a new kind of automotive paint that repels water and oils, leading the Japanese car-maker to refer to its prototype as the “world’s first self-cleaning car”.

The paint is coated in a substance called Ultra-Every Dry, developed by US-based UltraTech International Inc. The substance has been tested on a variety of metals and fabrics, but until now, no car-maker has used it on its products – at least in an official capacity.

The paint works by creating a protective layer of air between the paint and the environment or, as its maker puts it, “creates a surface chemistry and texture with patterns of geometric shapes that have peaks or high points”.

The attached video shows a Nissan Note test vehicle splashing through mid, rain and road spray, only for all the dirt and grime to drip off unprompted.

Nissan says it continues to conduct trials, though don’t expect to see it offered in a local dealer in the near future, at least.

“Whilst there are currently no plans for the technology to be applied to the model as standard, Nissan will continue to consider the coating technology as a future aftermarket option,” it said.

Nissan has fashioned itself in recent times as something of a ‘paint pioneer, with the company working on self-healing paint that used a reactive, high-elastic resin to remove small scuffs and scratches on its own.