2016 Kia Touch Up Paint (48 OEM Colors)

The 2016 Kia Vibe

By 2016, Kia wasn't just the "budget alternative" anymore-they were hunting for German luxury territory. Whether you were rocking the boxy, neon-drenched Soul in Alien II Pearl or the sleek Optima in Aurora Black, the brand had finally found its swagger. Our database tracks a massive 52 colors for this year alone. They weren't afraid of a little personality, either; you could get a Sportage that actually looked "sporty" in Digital Yellow or a Sedona in Black Berry Pearl that made the school run look almost dignified. It was the era of the "Designer Collection" and two-tone roofs, proving that Kia knew exactly how to grab your attention on the showroom floor.

Paint Health Check

Welcome to the Thin Paint Era. In 2016, the robots at the factory were tuned for absolute "efficiency," which is painter-speak for "they used as little product as possible." While the finish looked like a million bucks when it rolled off the lot, those coats are notoriously thin. If you own a Sorento or Forte in Snow White Tricoat, you've likely heard the horror stories-or lived them. This era is prone to "delamination," where the top layers decide to part ways with the primer, often peeling off in sheets once a rock chip gives the air a way in. Between the robot-thin clear coat and the bonding issues on the whites and pearls, your 2016 is likely wearing its age in the form of "road rash" across the hood and roof.

Restoration Tip

Since 2016 factory paint is thinner than a diner napkin, you have to be precise with your repairs. Build your layers slowly; do not blob the paint. If you try to fill a chip with one heavy drop, it's going to sit higher than the surrounding factory finish, and because the original coat is so thin, you won't be able to sand it level without burning right through to the primer. Use a fine-tip applicator to apply two or three paper-thin layers, letting them dry fully in between. You want to "sneak up" on the level of the original paint rather than trying to hammer it home in one go.