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Nissan debuts self-cleaning paint. The end of the car wash?

Nissan has debuted a new kind of paint that repels dirt, dust, and even mud, keeping cars bright and shiny without their human owners lifting a finger. But the paint is only being explored in Europe, which is good news for American car wash fans. 

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Morry Gash/AP/File
A Nissan dealership is reflected in the hood of a car in West Allis, Wis. Nissan Europe has unveiled a type of paint with the potential to make car washes obsolete.
  • By Richard Read Guest blogger

If you enjoy spending Saturdays in the driveway, hosing down your favorite ride, we have some bad news.

If you happen to own or work at a car wash, we're afraid it's even worse.

Nissan has debuted a new kind of paint that repels dirt, dust, and even mud, keeping cars bright and shiny without their human owners lifting a finger.

And as if that weren't ominous enough, Nissan is looking to offer this paint as an aftermarket application. Should that happen, it'll mean that practically any car on the planet can roll into a shop and get the high-tech treatment.

The paint is called Ultra-Ever Dry, and it was created by UltraTech International Inc. According to Nissan, the paint is both hydrophobic and oleophobic (i.e. resistant to water and oils) -- a feat that's achieved by "creating a protective layer of air between the paint and environment". In the video embedded above, you'll see that Ultra-Ever Dry does a great job of keeping a Nissan Note from getting seriously schmutzed. 

The good news for American car wash fans and employees is that, so far, Nissan Europe is the only company to explore Ultra-Ever Dry's automotive applications. There's no word on if or when it will be offered across the pond, and even if it is, it'll likely take a bit longer to reach U.S. shores.

FWIW, as Detroit News points out, car washing is still a very big business. Each year, the industry generates over $23 billion worldwide, employing over 130,000 workers.

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