1996 Kia Touch Up Paint (14 OEM Colors)

The 1996 Kia Vibe

1996 was the year Kia was the scrappy new kid on the block, trying to convince the world that the Sephia and the first-generation Sportage were more than just budget boxes. It was the era of the Macarena and hunter-green-everything. While our database focuses on the true survivors-Ebony Black and that quintessentially 90s Olive Green Pearl-these colors tell the story of a decade that was obsessed with looking "organic" while being parked next to a Blockbuster. If you're still rocking one of these today, you're driving a genuine time capsule of early-import ambition.

Paint Health Check

Welcome to The Peeling Era. In 1996, Kia was using early-generation multi-stage systems that didn't always play nice with the sun. The clear coat-the transparent shield on top of your Ebony or Olive Green-is prone to "Delamination." It starts as a small white bubble or a foggy patch on the hood or roof, and before you know it, the car looks like it's recovering from a severe case of sunburn. Once that clear coat loses its bond with the color beneath it, the base coat is left wide open to the elements, where it'll fade to a chalky mess in months.

Restoration Tip

Your biggest enemy isn't just a deep scratch; it's a tiny rock chip that lets moisture get under the clear coat. In this era of paint, once the edge of the clear lifts, the wind from a highway drive can literally peel it back like tape. Seal every chip immediately. Don't wait until the weekend. Use a precise touch-up pen to bridge the gap between the base and the clear. If you see the clear coat starting to "cloud" around an edge, you've got to treat it like a crack in a windshield-seal it up now to stop the spread, or you'll be looking at a full respray by next summer.