But Nissan is testing a car that can keep itself clean, thanks to special paints that repel water and oils. Similar technology could eventually allow manufacturers to do away with windshield wipers by effectively fending off water, frost and grime. Meanwhile, new coatings can also help keep a car’s interior cleaner, something especially useful for parents – or those actively involved in sports like camping and trail biking.

The Nissan Technical Center in Rolle, Switzerland, is in the midst of testing a specially prepared version of the maker’s little European Note model. The subcompact hatchback has had a layer of a special coating, called Ultra-Ever Dry, applied over its conventional paint finish. Developed by UltraTech International, it’s technically known as a super-hydrophobic and oleophobic paint. In other words, it actually repels both oil and water.

That means that most common dirt, grime and oil won’t stick to the vehicle’s sheet metal. The Ultra-Ever Dry finish even works with rain, frost and sleet, Nissan reports, after preliminary testing.