Paramagnetic paint is awesome (but is it real?)

Although this video has been making the internet rounds, and it seems like a very cool idea - it appears that it is not the real deal.

Yet.

Apparently, the video is taken from the end of a tutorial for Adobe After Effects, video editing software.

BUT - it seems back in Nissan was playing with a process very much like what is described in the video above.

From the rumor-busting website Snopes:

Before the vehicle is painted, a special polymer containing the special 'paramagnetic' iron oxide particles is applied to the car’s body. An applied electric current then adjusts the spacing of small crystals within the iron oxide particles and therefore affects their ability to reflect light and change color.

The process is perfect for metal objects like cars because a continuous small current is needed to maintain the desired color. When the vehicle is switched off, the car returns to a default color of white.

Watch the viral video below that started the urban legend.