Kia Picanto Touch Up Paint (16 OEM Colors)

The Color Breakdown

Kia didn't hold back with the Picanto, giving this pint-sized city slicker a wardrobe of 16 different shades. We've seen everything from the sophisticated Titanium Silver Metallic and Platinum Graphite to the "look-at-me" Remington Red. Whether your car is dressed in a classic Aurora Black Pearl or the punchy Bright Red, it's clear Kia wanted to prove that small cars don't have to be boring. They really went for it with the pearls and tricoats, giving this little commuter a surprisingly premium sparkle.

What to Watch For

Before you start dabbing paint, you need to find your "birth certificate" (the paint code). On the Picanto, Kia made it easy: open the driver's door and look at the door jamb (the B-pillar). You're looking for a black sticker with a 2-digit code like "EB" or "S3" next to the word "PAINT."

In terms of the paint itself, the Picanto is known for having a bit of a "soft" personality. The clear coat is friendly but thin, which means stone chips on the hood and front bumper are practically a rite of passage. You might also notice some peeling or "flaking" on plastic parts like the side mirrors or the rear spoiler if the car spends its life baking in the sun. Don't panic-it's just a sign the car has been living its best life, and it's nothing a little TLC can't fix.

Driveway Repair Tip

If you're working with one of those gorgeous metallic or pearl colors like Smokey Blue Pearl or Snow White Tricoat, your biggest hurdle is the "settle." Those tiny flakes of mica and metal like to sink to the bottom of the bottle. Shake your touch-up pen or bottle for a full 60 seconds-longer than you think you need-to wake up those sparkles.

When you go to fill a chip, think of it like painting a fingernail. One giant glob will never dry right. Instead, use the tip of your brush to drop a tiny amount of paint into the center of the chip and let it flow to the edges. If the chip is deep, wait 20 minutes and add a second thin layer. It requires a little patience, but building the paint up slowly is the secret to a repair that stays put.