COLOR CODE4C - Cobalt Blue PearlKia Touch-Up Paint

The Look

This shade defines the era when Kia began to find its voice in the sedan market. Whether it is on the executive-styled Amanti or the more practical Optima, this color provides a deep blue that behaves differently depending on the light. Since your vehicle has been on the road since the mid-2000s, the original finish has likely endured years of sun and road debris. This blue is excellent for hiding fine scratches, but it demands a clean surface to reveal the subtle character that makes it more than just a standard fleet color.

Technical Details

You are working with a Pearl finish, which means there are tiny mica flakes mixed into the pigment. These flakes are what give the car its depth, but they are also your biggest challenge. Because mica is heavier than the paint itself, it likes to sink to the bottom of the container. If you do not mix it well, you will end up with a flat blue that does not match your car. Furthermore, pearl finishes are slightly transparent, so the final shade depends on how many layers you apply. Too few layers and the color looks weak; too many and it can appear too dark compared to the surrounding panels.

Best Practices

To confirm you have the right match, look for the black identification sticker on the driver's side door jamb. Before you apply Kia Cobalt Blue Pearl (code 4C), you must shake the container for at least two minutes to distribute those mica flakes. Test the color on the included card to verify the match before touching the car. When you are ready to work in your garage or a patch of shade, keep the container moving to ensure an even distribution of the pearl. Allow plenty of drying time between each thin layer to prevent the paint from pooling or creating dark spots.