Repairing Paint Chips On Your Kia Sportage

If you're looking to fix paint chips on your Kia Sportage, there are a variety of touch-up paint products available. These include paint pens, brush cap bottles, and spray cans, as well as kits that come with brushes, clear coats, and other accessories. When choosing a product, it's important to consider the size of the chip and the colour of your car. Some products offer colour match technology, ensuring a perfect match to your car's original paint colour. Before applying touch-up paint, it's crucial to follow the manufacturer's instructions, which may include cleaning and preparing the surface, applying primer, and allowing adequate drying time.

Identify the colour of your Kia Sportage

To identify the colour of your Kia Sportage, you can refer to the car's documentation or user manual. This will provide you with the exact colour code or name, which is essential information when ordering touch-up paint or seeking professional repairs.

Alternatively, if you do not have access to the car's documentation, you can visually inspect the vehicle and compare it to known Kia Sportage colours. The Kia Sportage is available in a range of colours, including Infra Red, a bright and deep hue of red; Fusion White, a classic pearly white shade; and Phantom Black, which gives the car a sleek and mysterious look.

If you are seeking a colour that allows the exterior features of the car to stand out, consider the Dark Penta Metal shade, which is one shade lighter than Phantom Black. This colour option is ideal for those who prefer a dark car but want the exterior details to be visible. Another option that provides a nice contrast between the car's body and its exterior features is Lunar Silver, which has a subtle sheen and a grey undertone.

For a truly unique colour, the Yuka Steel Grey is a blend of grey and blue, offering a subtle yet distinct appearance. This colour option is exclusive to the Kia Sportage 2 and Sportage 3 models. If you prefer a bolder statement, the Blue Flame is a vibrant shade of blue that pairs well with the exterior detailing of the car.

Choose a touch-up paint kit

When choosing a touch-up paint kit for your Kia Sportage, it is important to select one that will match your car's original paint colour. Colour matching is crucial to achieving a seamless and aesthetically pleasing result.

There are several touch-up paint options available for the Kia Sportage. One popular choice is the Kia Touch Up Paint Pen, which is a dual-tipped pen with a coloured paint side and a clear coat side. This pen is designed to quickly and efficiently cover minor scratches and scuffs. It is important to clean the area before applying the paint and to allow the vehicle to dry in a cool, dry place afterward. You can purchase these pens from dealerships or online, with some websites offering a range of colours, including Snow White Pearl, Gravity Grey, Twilight Blue, and Sparkling Silver.

Another option is to use a touch-up paint kit, such as the one offered by Color N Drive. Their kit includes a patented clearNcorrect solution that ensures touch-up paint resists the elements and lasts longer without causing environmental harm. This kit also prioritises colour matching, ensuring a perfect factory match and superior quality. The three-step process is designed to be easy to apply, avoiding the high repair costs associated with body shops.

It is worth noting that some users have reported inconsistent paint quality with the Kia Touch Up Paint Pens, describing the paint as watery even after following the instructions. However, many others have praised the product for its ease of use, perfect colour match, and effectiveness in hiding scratches.

When deciding between a touch-up paint pen or a kit, consider factors such as the severity of the paint chips, your budget, and the level of convenience you desire. Pens are generally cheaper and faster to use, while kits may provide a more comprehensive solution but could be more expensive and time-consuming.

Prepare the chipped surface

To prepare the chipped surface of your Kia Sportage, begin by cleaning the area. Use a car-wash detergent with plenty of water to remove any dirt. You can also use a chamois with dishwashing liquid, but avoid dish soap as it will remove the wax and eventually damage the clear coat. After cleaning, follow up with thinners. It is important to ensure that the chipped surface is completely clean, dry, and free of any wax, rust, dirt, or other residues before moving on to the next steps of the repair process.

If you plan to use a paint pen for touch-ups, it is crucial to prepare the pen itself before applying the paint. Start by shaking the pen well until you hear the ball moving freely inside. Then, point the pen upward and push the tip down using the cap to remove any air from the pen. This preparation ensures that the paint flows smoothly when applied to the chipped surface.

Before applying the paint to the chipped area, it is recommended to test the paint flow on a piece of cardboard. Lightly tap the tip of the pen on the cardboard until the paint flows easily, and then blot any excess paint on the cardboard. This step helps you control the amount of paint dispensed onto the chipped surface, reducing the risk of over-application or dripping.

Once the pen is prepared and the paint is flowing smoothly, you are ready to apply the paint to the chipped surface. It is important to work carefully and lightly dab the paint onto the affected area. Avoid dragging the tip of the pen across the surface, as this can lead to uneven application and potential smudging. Depending on the size of the chip, you may need to apply multiple light coats of paint, allowing 15-20 minutes of drying time between each application.

After you have finished applying the paint and it has dried completely, you can move on to the next step of clear coating. Clear coating provides a protective layer over the touched-up area and helps achieve a seamless blend with the surrounding paint. Wait 1-6 hours before using the clear coat side of the paint pen, and then carefully apply the clear coat in a dabbing motion, again avoiding dragging the tip across the surface. With pearlized colors, additional applications of clear coat may be required to achieve an exact color match.

Apply the paint

Once you have cleaned the area, removed wax, and ensured the surface is dry, you are ready to apply the paint. Kia offers custom high-precision paint pens for every colour and model, which are available at dealerships for $14.99. These are ideal for small touch-ups and can be stored in your glove box.

Before using the pen, shake it well until you hear the ball moving freely inside. Then, remove the air from the pen by pointing it upward and pushing the tip down with the cap. Next, on a piece of cardboard, tap the tip lightly and repeatedly until the paint flows easily. Be sure to blot any excess paint on the cardboard.

When you are ready to paint, lightly dab a small quantity of colour onto the chipped area. It is important not to drag the tip of the pen across the surface. You may need to apply more than one coat, waiting 15-20 minutes between each application.

After applying the colour, wait 1-6 hours before using the clearcoat side of the pen. Repeat the preparation steps, and then carefully apply the clearcoat in a dabbing motion. Again, do not drag the tip of the pen across the surface. With pearlized colours, additional applications of clearcoat may be required to achieve an exact match.

If the tip dries up or becomes blocked, simply remove it from the pen, dip it in thinner, and then put it back in the pen.

Remove excess paint and let it dry

To fix paint chips on a Kia Sportage, you'll need to first clean the area, removing any wax, rust, dirt, or other residues. You can use a car-wash detergent and plenty of water, followed by thinners. It's important not to use dish soap, as it will remove the wax and eventually damage the clear coat. Once the area is clean and dry, you can use a touch-up paint pen to apply paint to the chipped area.

When using a touch-up paint pen, it's important to follow the manufacturer's instructions. In general, you'll want to shake the pen well and remove any air by pointing it upward and pushing the tip down with the cap. Then, on a piece of cardboard, lightly tap the tip until the paint flows easily. Blot any excess paint on the cardboard, and then lightly dab a small amount of paint onto the chipped area. Do not drag the tip of the pen across the area, as this can cause streaks or uneven application. You may need to apply multiple coats, waiting 15-20 minutes between each application, to fully cover the chip.

Once you've applied the paint, you'll need to let it dry completely before moving on to the next step. The drying time will depend on the temperature and humidity, but it's generally a good idea to let the paint dry overnight. If the temperature is below 70 degrees Fahrenheit, you may need to allow for additional drying time.

After the paint has dried, you can apply a clear coat to protect it and ensure a smooth finish. Again, you'll want to follow the manufacturer's instructions for applying the clear coat, as different pens may have different instructions. Some pens may require you to wait 1-6 hours before using the clear coat side, while others may have different instructions. Carefully apply the clear coat in a dabbing motion, avoiding dragging the tip across the surface. With pearlized colors, you may need to apply additional coats of clear coat to achieve an exact match.

Frequently asked questions