2014 Kia Touch Up Paint (48 OEM Colors)

The 2014 Kia Vibe

Back in 2014, Kia was in the middle of its "glow-up" phase. They stopped trying to blend into the background and started hiring designers who actually liked cars. Whether you were rocking a boxy Soul, a sharp-looking Optima, or the surprisingly plush Cadenza, Kia was finally giving the neighbors something to look at. And they didn't skimp on the palette, either. With 48 colors in our database for this year alone, Kia was swinging for the fences-offering everything from the neon-tinged Alien II Pearl Metallic and Solar Yellow to the more dignified Snow White Tricoat and Abyss Blue Pearl. It was an era where you could actually find your car in a crowded mall parking lot.

Paint Health Check

Now for the reality check from the paint booth: we are firmly in the Thin Paint Era. By 2014, the factory robots had become masters of "efficiency," which is just a fancy way of saying they got real stingy with the clear coat. If you've spent a decade driving a Forte or a Sportage on the highway, your hood probably looks like it's been through a gravel storm. These finishes are notorious for rock chips because there just isn't much material there to absorb the impact. Worse yet, if you own one of the pearl whites or lighter metallics, you might be dealing with "The Great Peel." The bond between the primer and that thin top layer can get temperamental, leading to delamination that starts as a tiny chip and ends up looking like a bad sunburn on your roof or pillars.

Restoration Tip

Because the factory finish is so thin, the absolute worst thing you can do is try to fix a chip with one big, heavy "blob" of paint. It'll sit high, look messy, and eventually pop right back out. Instead, build your layers slowly. Treat it like a miniature version of the factory process: apply a thin dab, let it shrink and dry, then add another until you're level with the surrounding surface. Since these 2014 clears are lean, don't go aggressive with the sandpaper or heavy rubbing compounds either-you'll burn through to the color before you can say "warranty." Precision is your best friend here; keep the repair tight and stay off the original clear as much as possible.