2010 Kia Touch Up Paint (54 OEM Colors)

The 2010 Kia Vibe

By 2010, Kia was tired of being the "budget choice" and decided to start winning beauty pageants. This was the year the Soul hit its stride with those dancing hamsters, and the Forte and Sportage began looking like European imports. They didn't just step up the design; they went wild with the palette. Our database tracks 54 different colors for this year alone. We're talking about a time when you could actually find a Green Tea Latte Metallic or a Vanilla Shake in a sea of grayscale commuters. It was an era of personality, from the rugged Borrego to the city-slicking Picanto.

Paint Health Check

Welcome to the Thin Paint Era. By 2010, factory robots had become masters of "efficiency," which is just a polite way of saying they sprayed as little paint as humanly possible to get the job done. If you own a 2010 Soul or Rio, you've probably noticed that the front hood looks like it's been through a gravel storm. Because the factory coats were applied so sparingly, the finish lacks the "meat" to absorb impacts. We also see plenty of "Snow White Tricoat" and "Bright Silver" starting to show their age-if the clear coat isn't peeling yet, it's likely because it's been tucked away in a garage. These cars were painted to look great on the showroom floor, but they didn't exactly come with a suit of armor.

Restoration Tip

When you're fixing chips on a 2010 Kia, remember: Build layers slowly; don't blob it. Because the original factory finish is so thin, a single heavy drop of touch-up paint will sit on the surface like a sore thumb. You want to mimic that thin, efficient factory profile. Apply a tiny amount, let it dry, and repeat until the level is just right. If you try to fill a deep chip in one shot, the solvent won't outgas properly, and you'll end up with a soft, gummy spot that eventually fails. Patience is your best friend when dealing with 2010-era coats.